Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Powdered Infant Formula, June 2026

For Everyone

Key points

Investigation status: Open
Recall issued: Yes
  • CDC, FDA, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled powdered infant formula.
  • Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that can happen when a baby swallows spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
  • Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (trouble sucking and swallowing), a weak or altered cry, and loss of muscle tone.
  • Do not feed infants recalled Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula.
Updates Locations Timeline

Fast Facts

  • Cases: 3
  • Hospitalizations: 3
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 3
Updates Locations Timeline

Recalled infant formula

On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics recalled all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula.

Nara Organics infant formula is a powdered infant formula that is sold at Target retail stores, Target.com, and Nara.com. This brand of formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula available in the United States, and shortages of infant formula resulting from this recall are not expected.

What you should do

Actions to take

  • Do not use recalled infant formula
    If you have unopened cans of Nara Organics infant formula, throw them away or return them. If you have an opened can of Nara Organics infant formula, see guidance below.
  • Wash items and surfaces
    Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
  • Seek care if your infant becomes ill
    Seek immediate medical care if your infant consumed Nara Organics infant formula and has any of these signs or symptoms of infant botulism: poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, decreased facial expression.
  • Report information to FDA
    To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), visit FDA's Safety Reporting Portal. If your child has signs or symptoms of infant botulism, seek medical attention before using the portal.

What should I do if I have a leftover (opened) can of Nara Organics infant formula?

  • Take a picture and record the lot number and use-by date.
  • Consider keeping the formula. If your infant develops signs and symptoms of infant botulism, the state health department might want to test the formula.
  • If you keep the formula, write "DO NOT USE" on it. Keep it stored in a safe place away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month. If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.

Tip

Symptoms of infant botulism can take as long as several weeks to develop. Parents of children who consumed Nara Organics infant formula should watch their infant for symptoms for a month after the infant last consumed the product.

What businesses should do

  • Do not sell, donate, or use recalled infant formula.
  • Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have touched recalled formula.

What clinicians should do

Initial diagnosis of infant botulism is based on clinical signs. If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive, flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties, including respiratory failure, and require weeks of hospitalization. Consultation with the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Actions to take

  • Call
    If you suspect your infant patient has botulism, immediately call 510-231-7600 for case consultation.
  • Treat
    Treatment with BabyBIG® is recommended for all suspected cases of infant botulism. If clinical consultation supports infant botulism, begin treatment as soon as possible. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
  • Notify
    Infant botulism is a notifiable disease. Report all suspected cases to your state public health department.
For Health Care Providers Clinical Overview of Infant Botulism

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)