CDC warns parents to stop using product immediately
Nara Organics, a New York-based company founded by Korean Americans, has issued a nationwide recall of its Whole Milk Baby Formula after three infants were hospitalized with suspected infant botulism, federal health officials announced.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday that the recall was initiated after three infants, including one in California, developed symptoms consistent with infant botulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness.
The affected infants, ranging in age from 2 to 5 months old, were hospitalized and treated with medication used to combat botulism. No deaths have been reported.
Federal health officials are urging parents and caregivers to stop using the recalled formula immediately. Unopened containers should be returned to the retailer or discarded, according to the CDC.
Infant botulism occurs when spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum grow in an infant’s intestines and produce toxins. If left untreated, the illness can lead to progressive paralysis, breathing difficulties, and prolonged hospitalization.
The CDC advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if an infant who consumed the formula develops symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, poor feeding, loss of head control, reduced facial expression, constipation, drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, or a weak cry.
Because symptoms may take several weeks to appear, health officials recommend monitoring infants for at least one month after their last consumption of the product.
The recalled formula was sold online and through Target stores nationwide. The other two hospitalized infants were identified as residents of Pennsylvania and Washington state.
In a statement, Nara Organics said that laboratory testing conducted so far has not detected Clostridium botulinum in its products. However, the company said it decided to voluntarily recall all formula currently on the market out of an abundance of caution and concern for consumer safety.
“We sincerely apologize for the concern and distress this announcement may cause our customers,” the company said. “We are committed to working closely with health authorities and conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of these illnesses.”
The company has advised customers to visit its website for refund information and additional recall details.
The incident has renewed concerns about infant formula safety in the United States. Health experts note that infants are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illnesses because their immune and digestive systems are still developing.
The CDC said its investigation remains ongoing.
