Nara Organics recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, federal authorities said. Three babies between 2 and 5 months became ill in April and May in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered infant formula.

Infant Botulism Outbreak

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs in babies under age 1, whose gut microbiomes are immature. It is caused when infants consume bacteria with spores that produce a toxin in the gut. Symptoms include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing, and breathing problems, among others.

Babies who develop those symptoms need immediate medical attention. The sole treatment is BabyBIG, an IV medication made from blood plasma of people immunized against botulism. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said people who have the formula are urged to stop using it immediately and to take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date, and watch their infants for symptoms.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.