In brief
Thirteen infants have been hospitalized due to botulism linked to two recalled lots of ByHeart Inc.'s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. The FDA is investigating the contamination and advising consumers to discard or return the affected products. Parents are urged to seek medical attention if their infant shows symptoms of botulism.
Federal and state health authorities are currently examining 13 reported cases of infant botulism linked to baby formula that has been recalled. ByHeart Inc. has agreed to recall two specific lots of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, specifically lot numbers 206VABP/251261P2 and 206VABP/251131P2, according to statements made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All affected infants were hospitalized after consuming formula from these lots, which are associated with cases reported in various states including Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. Although no fatalities have been reported, the FDA is conducting an investigation to determine the source of contamination and whether it affects additional products. Parents who purchased the recalled formula should document the lot number before disposing of it and are advised to thoroughly clean any surfaces that came into contact with the formula using a dishwasher or hot soapy water. If an infant exhibits symptoms such as poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, or decreased facial expression after consuming the recalled formula, immediate medical care is recommended. The CDC has highlighted that infant botulism is caused by a bacterium that produces toxins in the large intestine, and symptoms may take weeks to appear.
