Formula sold at Target recalled after multiple babies are sickened with deadly bacteria
An infant formula sold at Target and online has been urgently recalled after three babies who were fed the product developed a potentially fatal infection.The infants, aged between two and five months old, were diagnosed with botulism, a serious condition caused by toxins that attack the nervous system, and may trigger breathing problems, muscle paralysis and, in severe cases, death.All three were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date.The formula's manufacturer, New York-based Nara Organics, has now recalled every can of its Whole Milk Organic Powdered Formula, which the babies had consumed and which was sold both online through Nara's website and in Target stores.The product came in 14oz and 24oz blue cans that featured a mother cow and calf on the front.The babies all fell ill between April and May and lived in California, Pennsylvania and Washington.Health officials have urged anyone who has the formula to stop using it immediately.Anyone who has an open can was told to take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date — found on the bottom of the can — and watch their infant for symptoms. An infant formula has been recalled after babies who were fed the formula were diagnosed with botulism, a potentially fatal infection for infants
The can should be labeled 'do not use' and stored in a safe place away from other items. If an infant does not develop symptoms in a month, they said it could then be thrown away.All customers are being urged to contact the seller or manufacturer to obtain a full refund. Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs in babies under one year, whose gut microbiomes are immature. It is caused when infants consume spores from bacteria that produce toxins 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 the blood plasma of people immunized against botulism.It was not clear how the infant formula was contaminated, but experts say the spores exist naturally in the environment and may enter powders. All of the product is being recalled. A list of the 16 lot codes recalled is available on the FDA website. The three specific product lot codes that the sick infants were exposed to were: 709125280E14F2, 709125288E14F2, 708125174E14F2. Shown above is Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula which has been recalledA spokesperson for Nara said: 'We sincerely apologize for the concern and distress this announcement causes our customers. 'We are committed to leading with transparency and accountability throughout this process as we work to identify further information. 'We will provide additional information as it becomes available.'Nara Organics supplies less than one percent of the infant formula market in the US, meaning the recall is not expected to trigger shortages.The product is manufactured in Europe but is only sold in the US. It comes after a botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart's baby formula last year that sickened more than 50 babies across 19 states.In the US, there are typically around 200 to 300 cases of infant botulism reported each year. The majority of these, roughly two-thirds, are infant botulism, which usually affects babies under one year old.
