FDA now links two infant-formula botulism outbreaks to the same milk supply

The CDC closed the four-case Nara Organics infant-botulism cluster. The FDA 28 September 2026 update is the news: whole-genome sequencing now ties one of those infants to the 2025 ByHeart outbreak and to unopened ByHeart cans. Both brands used organic whole milk from Organic West Milk that Dairy Farmers of America spray-dried.

## What changed

Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula sold at Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com from July 2025 through June 2026. Four infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington were hospitalized April through May 2026. No deaths. Recalled cans carry Best By dates into 2027.

FDA says the Nara lots used the same milk supplier and spray-drier as ByHeart (51 hospitalized infants in 19 states in 2025). One Nara clinical sample matches a ByHeart clinical sample, a ByHeart base sample, and four unopened ByHeart cans. FDA still cannot say if contamination happened before or during drying.

## Competing viewpoints

Labs treat the WGS match plus shared suppliers as a common source. Industry will note FDA has not published a matching sequence from an unopened Nara can; one opened home can tested positive. Organic West Milk gave FDA an incomplete customer list in 2025, which delayed the Nara link. Both brands already recalled every lot.

## What to do

Discard remaining Nara Organics or ByHeart powder. Wash bottles, counters, and dispensers with hot soapy water or a dishwasher. Watch for constipation, weak suck, poor head control, flatter face, or breathing trouble. Seek emergency care. Physicians: Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program 510-231-7600, 24/7.

## Watch next

Whether more manufacturers used that milk and drier, and whether FDA pins contamination on liquid milk or the dryer.

Sources: FDA outbreak page 28 September 2026; CDC counts; AAP Red Book 27 August 2026 close-out.