SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health is alerting the public to stop use of any Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic infant formula products immediately after the product was linked to three infant hospitalizations and recalled nationwide.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) issued the alert following a Saturday, June 13 recall by Nara Organics of all of its Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula sold nationally in Target retail stores, Target.com and Nara.com. The recall was initiated after the product was linked to three cases of infant botulism in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. 

New Mexico currently does not have any confirmed cases of infant botulism associated with this outbreak.

Botulism is a rare disease that causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. 

"Once symptoms start, botulism can quickly become a medical emergency," said Dr. Chad Smelser, New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) deputy state epidemiologist. "Any infant a parent thinks might have botulism from using this recalled product should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately." 

Signs of botulism in infants can take a couple of weeks to develop and include: 

Constipation. 

Difficulty swallowing or weak sucking. 

Drooping eyelids and/or eyes may appear misaligned. 

Weak or altered cry. 

Lethargy. 

A loss of head control leading to a "floppy baby" appearance. 

Difficulty breathing. 

If you have leftover opened cans of Nara Organics infant formula, take a picture and record the lot number and use-by date. Label it "DO NOT USE" and keep it stored in a safe place away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month. If your infant develops signs and symptoms of infant botulism, NMDOH may want to test the formula. If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula out. 

Wash any surfaces or items like feeding bottles and mixing containers for infant formula preparation that may have touched recalled formula with hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. 

Parents with non-urgent questions can call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) or text questions to 66364 (NMDOH). 

For more information on the outbreak, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.