A Portland, Oregon, boy is struggling to recover from infant botulism after drinking contaminated ByHeart baby formula donated through a program that aims to help poor and homeless families.
Ashaan Carter, now 10 months old, was hospitalized twice and remains on a feeding tube after contracting the dangerous infection that has sickened more than 50 babies across the U.S.
His mother, Angel Carter, said she received a can of ByHeart formula from a case worker with the Oregon Department of Human Services in early November, days before a nationwide recall of the product.
Carter, who receives state food and housing assistance, said she had been exclusively breastfeeding her son, but her milk supply was waning. The case worker told the 27-year-old that the ByHeart formula “was closest to breast milk” and could help, she said.
“ I accepted it thinking, ‘OK, I’m hoping my baby can get on a bottle,’” Carter said. “It’s been all downhill since then.”
State officials wouldn’t comment on Carter’s case, but they acknowledged that the agency had received ByHeart formula from PDX Diaper Bank, part of ByHeart’s “OpenHearted Initiative” that donated formula to families in need. Since June 2022, nearly 24,000 cans of formula have been distributed by groups aiding homeless and vulnerable families. All of ByHeart's products have been recalled due to potential contamination.
After consuming the formula, Ashaan developed severe constipation and muscle weakness, becoming so limp that he couldn’t move his head, prompting a trip to Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, where doctors diagnosed presumed infant botulism linked to the formula.
He underwent treatment with BabyBIG, an IV medication that provides antibodies to combat the infection. Ashaan was hospitalized for nearly two weeks before being discharged without a feeding tube, but his health deteriorated rapidly in December, requiring another hospitalization.
The Oregon caseworker texted Carter following the recall, advising her to stop using the formula, but tragically, it was too late for Ashaan who has struggled with muscle weakness and learning to crawl and talk.
“ It’s devastating, especially for our vulnerable families who are trusting this product to nourish their child and trusting our social services to provide safe food for their babies,” said Dr. Sylvia Peterson-Perry, Ashaan’s physician.
PDX Diaper Bank received about 400 cans of ByHeart formula and distributed more than 300 before the recall. Baby2Baby, the nonprofit involved, could not be reached for comment, but ByHeart stated they worked to ensure that affected families were notified after the recall.
No new cases of botulism related to this outbreak have been reported since December 17, according to health officials. Legal action is already underway against ByHeart, as several families, including Carter’s, are represented by attorney Bill Marler, who has filed at least 18 lawsuits on behalf of affected families.
Ashaan Carter, now 10 months old, was hospitalized twice and remains on a feeding tube after contracting the dangerous infection that has sickened more than 50 babies across the U.S.
His mother, Angel Carter, said she received a can of ByHeart formula from a case worker with the Oregon Department of Human Services in early November, days before a nationwide recall of the product.
Carter, who receives state food and housing assistance, said she had been exclusively breastfeeding her son, but her milk supply was waning. The case worker told the 27-year-old that the ByHeart formula “was closest to breast milk” and could help, she said.
“ I accepted it thinking, ‘OK, I’m hoping my baby can get on a bottle,’” Carter said. “It’s been all downhill since then.”
State officials wouldn’t comment on Carter’s case, but they acknowledged that the agency had received ByHeart formula from PDX Diaper Bank, part of ByHeart’s “OpenHearted Initiative” that donated formula to families in need. Since June 2022, nearly 24,000 cans of formula have been distributed by groups aiding homeless and vulnerable families. All of ByHeart's products have been recalled due to potential contamination.
After consuming the formula, Ashaan developed severe constipation and muscle weakness, becoming so limp that he couldn’t move his head, prompting a trip to Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, where doctors diagnosed presumed infant botulism linked to the formula.
He underwent treatment with BabyBIG, an IV medication that provides antibodies to combat the infection. Ashaan was hospitalized for nearly two weeks before being discharged without a feeding tube, but his health deteriorated rapidly in December, requiring another hospitalization.
The Oregon caseworker texted Carter following the recall, advising her to stop using the formula, but tragically, it was too late for Ashaan who has struggled with muscle weakness and learning to crawl and talk.
“ It’s devastating, especially for our vulnerable families who are trusting this product to nourish their child and trusting our social services to provide safe food for their babies,” said Dr. Sylvia Peterson-Perry, Ashaan’s physician.
PDX Diaper Bank received about 400 cans of ByHeart formula and distributed more than 300 before the recall. Baby2Baby, the nonprofit involved, could not be reached for comment, but ByHeart stated they worked to ensure that affected families were notified after the recall.
No new cases of botulism related to this outbreak have been reported since December 17, according to health officials. Legal action is already underway against ByHeart, as several families, including Carter’s, are represented by attorney Bill Marler, who has filed at least 18 lawsuits on behalf of affected families.
