Baby formula recalled in California after testing shows botulism contamination
The Food and Drug Administration and state health officials asked parents and caregivers to stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after it was linked to botulism infections in babies in California and nine other states.
The recalled powdered formula has a “use by” date of Dec. 1, 2026. Specifically, lots 206VABP/251261P2 and 206VABP/251131P2 are being recalled.
The affected products were sold online and at major retailers nationwide including Amazon, Target, Kroger, Walmart, WholeFoods and others, including the manufacturer’s website.
Symptoms of infant botulism include constipation, difficulty feeding, weak or altered cries, poor head control and other signs of muscle weakness. The disease can be fatal.
Parents should notify a health care provider of any symptoms.
“Infant Botulism is a very rare disease that occurs when babies inhale or swallow spores of the toxin-producing bacteria that cause infant botulism, which leads to progressive muscle weakness including trouble breathing if not treated in time,” said Dr. Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health.
CDPH testing found one of the canisters of formula that was fed to a sickened child suggested that it was contaminated with the bacteria that produces the botulinum toxin.
“We have tested a sample of the specific powdered infant formula linked with these cases and preliminary tests are positive,” Pan said. “We are urging parents to stop using ByHeart formula immediately.”
According to the FDA, thirteen babies, including two in California, were sickened by the formula. Other cases were reported in Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.
