UMVA has learned that Target is facing intense scrutiny over the safety of its baby products after two separate recalls this week, one for baby wipes containing bacteria and one for baby formula, leaving babies hospitalized with botulism.
The recall of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula was issued after three babies in different states developed infant botulism after consuming the formula in April and May. The affected babies, ranging from 2 to 5 months old, were hospitalized with symptoms including constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing, and breathing problems.
Fortunately, the babies received treatment with the antitoxin BabyBIG, and no deaths have been reported. Nara Organics, which manufactures its formula in Europe for the U.S. market, is offering refunds for recent purchases and advising parents to stop using any cans immediately, clearly label any opened cans, and monitor babies closely for symptoms.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the risk of Clostridium botulinum spores in the formula can produce toxin in the immature digestive systems of infants under one year old. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has urged people who have the formula to stop using it immediately and to watch their infants for symptoms.
The CDC has recommended that anyone with an opened can take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date, and monitor their infant for symptoms. If no symptoms appear after a month, the leftover formula should be thrown away. The recall of the formula has left parents reeling, especially given the recent ByHeart infant formula botulism outbreak that sickened dozens of babies across multiple states.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Target has also issued a voluntary recall of several varieties of Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing found contamination by potentially dangerous bacteria that can cause severe infections in newborns and young children. The affected products include various pack sizes with specific manufacturing dates and expiration dates.
The FDA has detected Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli bacteria in the wipes, organisms that can cause serious or life-threatening infections, including skin and bloodstream infections, sepsis, and pneumonia, particularly in infants and immunocompromised children. Target, working with its supplier, has received multiple adverse reports and is directing customers to return the wipes to any store for a full refund and to stop using them immediately.
The dual recalls have parents on edge, and the FDA continues to investigate both cases, urging anyone who has used the recalled items and notices symptoms in their child to seek immediate medical care.
