As infant botulism outbreak expands, ByHeart recalls all baby formula sold across US

"By Jonel Aleccia | Associated Press ByHeart, a manufacturer of organic baby formula, recalled all of its products sold nationwide Tuesday, days after some batches were recalled in an expanding outbreak of infant botulism. At least 15 babies in 12 states have been sickened in the outbreak since August, with more cases pending, according to state and federal health officials. All of the infants were hospitalized after consuming ByHeart formula, officials said. No deaths have been reported."

"ByHeart officials expanded the voluntary recall from two lots announced Saturday to all products in consumers' homes and in stores. That includes ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and Anywhere Pack pouches of powdered formula. The company sells about 200,000 cans of infant formula a month online and in stores such as Target, Walmart, Albertsons and Whole Foods, according to Dr. Devon Kuehn, chief medical officer."

"Company officials said they enacted the unusual recall in close collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration even though no product that was previously unopened tested positive for the contamination. The type of bacteria that produces the toxin is widespread in the environment and could come from sources other than the formula, company officials said. This action underscores ByHeart's core mission: protecting babies above all else, the company said in a statement."

"California health officials earlier confirmed that a sample from an open can of ByHeart baby formula fed to an infant who got sick contained the toxin-producing type of bacteria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that ByHeart expand its recall because of the number of ill infants that reported consuming the formula, the identification of additional lot codes, the growing case count and the results of the California testing."

ByHeart recalled all of its infant formula nationwide after at least 15 babies in 12 states were sickened and hospitalized in an outbreak of infant botulism. No deaths have been reported. The voluntary recall was expanded from two lots to all products in consumers' homes and stores, including ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and Anywhere Pack powdered pouches. The company sells about 200,000 cans monthly through retailers such as Target, Walmart, Albertsons and Whole Foods. Parents and caregivers should immediately discontinue use and dispose of the product. Company officials said they acted with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration despite unopened products testing negative. California officials found the toxin-producing bacteria in a sample from an open can, and the FDA recommended expanding the recall while investigating the situation.

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