ByHeart infant botulism cases level off

Federal authorities are reducing the frequency of reports on the infant botulism outbreak traced to ByHeart powdered infant formula.

So far the outbreak has sickened 51 babies across 19 states. All of the babies have required hospitalization but none have died. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that some of the illnesses date back to December 2023. It was originally thought that the outbreak began in August this year.

According to the Food and Drug Administration reports of illnesses in the outbreak have slowed since the most recent update on Dec. 10. Therefore, the CDC will no longer be releasing weekly updates. Rather, the agency will only update the public “when new information becomes available.”

As of Nov. 11, all ByHeart products have been recalled. On Dec. 12 the FDA sent letters to officials at Albertsons, Kroger, Target and Walmart warning them because they had not promptly removed the recalled products from their store shelves and that such inaction was a violation of federal law.

The recalled ByHeart formula was available at other retailers and via online sales.

Testing by the California Department of Public Health, as well as ByHeart, found botulism in the company’s infant formula.

Symptoms of Infant botulism  

Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing, which can progress to difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. Symptoms of infant botulism, which is diagnosed clinically, can take as long as several weeks to develop following formula ingestion.

Any infants with signs of botulism should be immediately taken to a doctor or emergency room.

Recommendations

• Parents and caregivers should stop using any ByHeart infant formula products immediately.
  • If your child consumed ByHeart formula and is experiencing symptoms seek immediate medical attention.
  • If your child consumed ByHeart formula and is not currently showing symptoms, continue monitoring them and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
  • If you still have the formula in your home, you should:
    • Take a photo or record the information on the bottom of the package.
    • Keep the container in a safe spot and be sure to label that product as DO NOT USE.
    • If your child develops symptoms your state health department might want to collect your formula container for testing. If your child does not develop symptoms after 30 days, throw your containers out. 
  • Parents and caregivers from any state who have concerns about this outbreak and infant botulism can also contact the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) hotline at 833-398-2022 The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST.
  • Wash items and surfaces, containers and utensils that may have touched the formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.