06/15/2026
Media Alert
For Immediate Release
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Contact: CDC Media Relations (404) 639-3286
CDC Outbreak Update: Infant Botulism Linked to Powdered Infant Formula
A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled
Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula has been posted
at https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-june
2026/index.html.
Key Points:
• As of June 13, 2026, a total of 3 infants with infant botulism have been reported in
this outbreak from 3 states: California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. They ranged
in age from 2–5 months when their illness began. All 3 consumed Nara Organics
Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula.
• All 3 infants were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG®, the FDA-approved
treatment for infant botulism. No deaths have been reported.
• On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics recalled all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic
Infant Formula products. This includes all lot numbers and both sizes of cans. These
products are available online and at some major retailers nationwide.
• Testing of opened cans of Nara Organics brand formula and unopened Nara
Organics product samples is underway, and results are expected in the coming
weeks.
What You Should Do:
• Parents and caregivers are urged to immediately stop using any Nara Organics
Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula.
• If you have unopened cans of Nara Organics infant formula, throw them away or
return them.
• If you have leftover (opened) cans of Nara Organics infant formula,
• Take a picture and record the lot number and use-by date.
• Consider retaining any opened formula. If your infant develops signs and
symptoms of infant botulism, the state health department may want to test
it.
• Label it “DO NOT USE” and 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.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot
soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Seek immediate health care if your infant consumed Nara Organics brand infant
formula and has any of these symptoms:
• Poor feeding
• Loss of head control
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decreased facial expression
• Symptoms of infant botulism can take several weeks to start. Parents of children
who consumed Nara Organics brand infant formula should watch their infant for
symptoms for a month after the infant last consumed the product.
• To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction) related to
infant formula, visit FDA's Safety Reporting Portal. If your child has signs or
symptoms of infant botulism, seek medical attention before using the portal.
What Clinicians Should Do:
• Initial diagnosis of infant botulism is based on clinical symptoms.
• 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 is available for suspected cases. If you suspect your infant patient has
botulism, immediately call the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention
Program (510-231-7600) for case consultation. Consultation is available 24/7.
• 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.
• Infant botulism is a notifiable disease. All suspected cases must be reported to the
state public health department.
• More information is available on the Clinical Overview of Infant Botulism webpage.
About Infant Botulism:
• Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from Clostridium
botulinum bacteria infect a baby’s large intestine and make toxin in it.
• Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty
feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and lack of head control.
• If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive, flaccid paralysis
that can lead to breathing difficulties and require weeks of hospitalization.
• Treatment with BabyBIG® is recommended for all suspected cases of infant
botulism.
