Baby Formula Botulism Recall
Nara Organics Recalls Baby Formula Sold at Target After Multistate Botulism Outbreak
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Nara Organics has recalled all of its organic whole milk baby formula sold at Target stores and online after three infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington were hospitalized with botulism between April and May 2026, according to AP News. The babies were between 2 and 5 months old. No deaths have been reported.
The FDA linked the cases to Nara's formula based on what it calls an "epidemiological signal" — meaning the only thing the three sick infants had in common was drinking this specific brand, AP News reported. The recall covers all lot numbers of both the 400g and 700g cans. Parents should stop using the product immediately.
Three Hospitalized Infants Triggered the FDA Investigation
The illnesses began appearing in April 2026. Three infants across three different states all got sick with infant botulism — a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. The CDC tracked the cases and alerted the FDA. On June 12, the FDA gave Nara Organics the epidemiological data tying the formula to the sick babies, according to FDA.
Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. A baby's gut is not mature enough to fight the spores off, so the bacteria grow inside and produce a toxin, according to Forbes. The treatment, a drug called BabyBIG, can cost tens of thousands of dollars per dose. All three infants were hospitalized. All survived.
No Positive Lab Test, But Nara Agreed to Pull All Products
Nara Organics says no sample from its own facility has tested positive for the bacteria so far. Despite this, the company agreed to a voluntary recall on the night of June 13. "We are heartbroken for the concern and stress this may cause your family," the company said in an official statement, adding it acted "in an abundance of caution," according to Nara Organics.
The recall covers every lot number of the Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. The two UPC codes are 860013251901 (700g can) and 860013251918 (400g can). The FDA and state health partners are still testing leftover formula from the affected homes, according to FDA. Results are expected in the coming weeks.
Nara Launched at Target Just Five Months Before the Outbreak
Nara Organics is a New York-based startup founded by Esther Hallam. The company launched its formula in July 2025 on its own website. It expanded to more than 1,800 Target stores in January 2026 — just five months before the illnesses began, according to PR Newswire. The formula is made in Germany and was marketed as meeting stricter EU safety standards.
Nara holds less than 1% of the U.S. infant formula market, so the FDA says this recall will not create a national shortage, according to AP News. Still, many parents had switched to Nara after another brand, ByHeart, was linked to a botulism outbreak in late 2025 involving 48 cases across 19 states, according to CIDRAP.
Second Formula Botulism Outbreak in Seven Months Raises Regulatory Pressure
Food safety attorney Bill Marler is already calling on parents to keep their formula cans for testing, a clear sign lawsuits are coming. "This is the second formula-linked infant botulism outbreak in seven months," Marler said. "The FDA and the infant formula industry must do more," according to Food Poison Journal.
Both outbreaks involved premium brands that used whole milk powder. Consumer advocates are now pushing the FDA to require specific botulism testing for whole milk powder used in baby formula — something that is not currently a universal requirement, according to Food Poison Journal. For Nara Organics, a venture-backed startup, the recall of its entire product line may prove to be a company-ending event.
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