Nara Organics recalls baby formula sold at Target after multistate infant botulism outbreak

Last year, another manufacturer recalled its product — ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula — after an outbreak of infant botulism sickened dozens of babies across the country.

=== EARLIER COVERAGE / BACKGROUND (context only — do NOT lead with this) === === LATEST DEVELOPMENT (the current news — lead the headline and first paragraph with THIS) === [@CBSNews] An organic baby formula is being voluntarily recalled after three infants who were fed the produc...

An organic baby formula is being voluntarily recalled after three infants who were fed the product were hospitalized with infant botulism, according to a notice from the Food and Drug Administration.

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[The Washington Times] Nara Organics recalls baby formula sold at Target after multistate infant botulism outbreak SAN FRANCISCO — Nara Organics recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online Saturday after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, federal authorities said.

com, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. They were hospitalized and treated with the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism, the agency said. 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. Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, and the outbreak does not create shortage concerns for parents and caregivers, the FDA said.

People who have the formula are urged to stop using it immediately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said in a statement. The formula is manufactured in Europe but sold only in the U.S., it added. The CDC recommended that anyone with an opened can take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date and watch their infants for symptoms.

“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,” the CDC said.

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[Usa Today] Infant formula sold at Target recalled due to botulism concerns Infant formula sold at Target recalled due to botulism concerns Nara Organics is voluntarily recalling all cans of its infant formula sold online and at Target stores across the United States due to botulism concerns.

On June 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration shared three infants ages two to five months were hospitalized and treated for infant botulism after drinking Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula.

The CDC added that the incidents occurred across three states: California, Pennsylvania and Washington. Symptoms of infant botulism can take several weeks to start, according to the CDC, but may include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing and decreased facial expression.

" "Seek immediate health care if your infant consumed Nara Organics brand infant formula and has any of these symptoms," the CDC advises, adding to monitor children for a month after they last consumed the product. The CDC also advises washing any items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula.

According to the FDA and Nara Organics website, the specific product lots these infants were exposed to included: 709125280E14F2, 709125288E14F2 and 708125174E14F2. But the company is voluntarily recalling all its cans − the full list of lot codes can be found here.

The company adds customers who purchased formula from its website in May or June will receive an automatic refund while others may request a refund. For those who purchased formula at Target, the company suggests following the store's return policies.

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[ABC News] Baby formula sold at Target recalled after multistate infant botulism outbreak Nara Organics has recalled its organic baby formula sold at Target stores and online due to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism

=== EARLIER COVERAGE / BACKGROUND (context only — do NOT lead with this) === Nara Organics recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online Saturday after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, federal authorities said.

com, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. They were hospitalized and treated with the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism, the agency said. 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. Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, and the outbreak does not create shortage concerns for parents and caregivers, the FDA said.

People who have the formula are urged to stop using it immediately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said in a statement. The formula is manufactured in Europe but sold only in the U.S., it added. The CDC recommended that anyone with an opened can take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date and watch their infants for symptoms.

“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,” the CDC said.