ADVISORY:  Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula – June 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Benton County Health Department is sharing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory regarding an infant botulism outbreak associated with Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health officials in three states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak linked to this recalled product.

To date, three cases of infant botulism have been identified nationally, all resulting in hospitalization and no reported deaths. No cases have been reported in Oregon.

The full OHA HAN is available below for additional details.

Thank you for your continued vigilance in protecting community health.

Key Points

• CDC and public health officials in three states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula.
• Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects 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 loss of muscle tone.
• There have been 3 cases of infant botulism linked to this formula nationwide resulting in 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. There have not been any cases in Oregon.
• The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Formula

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

Nara Organics infant formula is available for sale exclusively online and at Target stores nationwide. CDC reports that Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula sales in the United States and this outbreak does not create shortage concerns of infant formula for parents and caregivers.

What the public should do

• Do not use recalled infant formula. 
  • If you have unopened cans of formula, throw them away or return them.
  • If you have opened cans of formula, take a picture of the lot number and use-by date. Consider keeping the formula for one month because if your infant develops symptoms, public health will 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
    • 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 medical care if your infant has consumed Nara Organics 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 as long as several weeks to develop, so parents should remain vigilant if they used the recalled infant formula.

What businesses should do

• Do not sell 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 symptoms.
• Consultation with the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program is available for suspected cases. If you suspect your infant patient has botulism, immediately call 510-231-7600 for case consultation. Consultation is available 24/7.
• 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.

Resources

• CDC Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Powdered Infant Formula, June 2026
• FDA Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Powdered Infant Formula (June 2026)
• Nara Organics Voluntary Recall of all Nara Organics Infant Formula

For questions, please contact Melissa Sutton at the Oregon Health Authority 

Please share with your community partners who may distribute infant formula, particularly food banks and pantries.

If you received this alert from a colleague and would like to receive notifications directly, email HAN.Oregon@ODHSOHA.Oregon.gov

Oregon 24/7 disease reporting: 971-673-1111