Vietnam's Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning advising consumers to stop using all Nara Organics infant formula products following a recall in the United States over potential botulism contamination.

The product subject to the warning is Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, manufactured by Nara Organics.

The alert follows a voluntary nationwide recall announced on June 13 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product was sold through Target retail stores, Target.com and Nara.com between July 2025 and June 2026 across the United States.

The recall was initiated after authorities identified three cases of infant botulism in California, Pennsylvania and Washington. Epidemiological investigations found that all three infants had consumed the formula before developing symptoms.

Botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening illness caused by toxins that attack the nervous system. In infants, early symptoms often include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control and difficulty swallowing. The condition can progress rapidly, leading to breathing difficulties and respiratory failure.

Health experts note that symptoms may take several weeks to appear after an infant consumes contaminated formula.

To protect consumers, Vietnam's Food Safety Authority has instructed local health departments and food safety agencies nationwide to review product registrations and declarations related to Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula.

Authorities have also been directed to work with any companies responsible for distributing the product in Vietnam and require them to immediately notify retailers and consumers to stop using it. Distributors must recall all affected products in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and report import volumes, sales figures, remaining inventory and proposed disposal measures.

The agency has strongly advised parents and caregivers not to feed infants with any products covered by the recall and to closely monitor children who may already have consumed the formula.

Parents are encouraged to seek medical attention promptly if infants develop symptoms consistent with botulism poisoning.

N. Huyen