Nara Organics has initiated a voluntary recall of its whole-milk baby formula following reports of infant botulism linked to the product, federal health officials announced Monday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised parents to immediately stop feeding the formula to their infants and to dispose of or return unopened cans.

The recall comes after three infants between the ages of two and five months in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington were hospitalized with infant botulism after consuming the formula. All three received treatment with an antitoxin and are reported to be stable. No fatalities have been reported.

Infant botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by the ingestion of spores from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. These spores can colonize an infant’s large intestine, producing a neurotoxin that leads to symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, poor feeding, loss of head control, decreased facial expression, constipation, drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, and a weak cry. The CDC emphasized that symptoms may not appear immediately and advised parents to monitor infants for up to a month after the last consumption of the formula.

Nara Organics, based in New York, stated that its product has not tested positive for Clostridium botulinum but opted to recall all formulas currently available as a precautionary measure. The formula is sold both online and at Target stores. In an official statement, the company expressed regret over the situation and pledged transparency and accountability while investigating the issue further. Refund information is available on the company’s website.

Infant botulism requires prompt medical intervention to prevent progression to paralysis, respiratory difficulties, and extended hospital stays. Last year, another infant formula manufacturer, ByHeart, also recalled its product following a similar outbreak that sickened multiple infants.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if an infant exhibits symptoms consistent with botulism following the consumption of any baby formula.