Thirteen infants across 10 states have been hospitalized with botulism after consuming ByHeart baby formula<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Deanna Neff HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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MONDAY, Nov. 10, 2025 (Health News) \u2014 Federal health officials have announced a recall for ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after a multi-state outbreak of infant botulism.<\/p>\n
Although botulism can be fatal, no deaths have been reported in the 10-state outbreak, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/a> (FDA).<\/p>\n Thirteen babies have been hospitalized with the illness since August.<\/p>\n The recall affects two lots of the powdered formula<\/a>.<\/p>\n Parents should check their canisters for the following lot numbers and a Dec. 1 “use by” date: 206VABP\/251261P2 and 206VABP\/251131P2.<\/p>\n Infant botulism is a rare but serious condition caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum<\/em> bacteria.<\/p>\n Symptoms may include constipation, poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, decreased facial expression and loss of head control, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC).<\/p>\n Parents should seek immediate medical care if they notice any of these symptoms. It can take several weeks from the time of exposure for the illness to develop.<\/p>\n CDC also recommends that parents and caregivers wash all surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with the recalled formula with hot soapy water or dishwasher cleaning.<\/p>\n To date, the cases have been identified in 10 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington. The formula is sold nationwide and online.<\/p>\n Health officials are testing leftover formula samples to determine the precise point of contamination.<\/p>\n New York City-based ByHeart, which produces the organic, grass-fed whole milk formula, voluntarily removed the products from the market.<\/p>\n In a statement<\/a>, the company said it was notified Nov. 7 that an estimated 83 cases of infant botulism nationwide have have been reported since August.<\/p>\n The company added that the FDA also noted that 13 infants had received ByHeart formula at some point.<\/p>\n “The FDA has not identified a direct link between any infant formula and these cases and there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, “ByHeart is taking the proactive step to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants,” the company said.<\/p>\n Treatment for infant botulism is available through an FDA-approved drug called BabyBIG<\/a>, which uses antibodies to fight the toxins, NBC News<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information regarding infant botulism symptoms.<\/a><\/p>\n