ByHeart expands baby formula recall amid botulism outbreak that has sickened 15 infants

[Jamaican Pach]

US Baby Formula Brand ByHeart Expands Recall Amid Nationwide Botulism Outbreak

A growing botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has left health authorities scrambling for answers. The latest update comes as 15 infants across the US have fallen ill, with one each in Pennsylvania and New Jersey requiring hospitalization.

ByHeart has issued a nationwide recall of its baby formula products, expanding an initial recall that began last weekend. The company claims that safety and the well-being of every infant using their formula is its top priority. In a statement, ByHeart President Mia Funt assured parents that the recall reflects the company's commitment to protecting babies and providing clear information.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 84 infant botulism cases have been reported nationwide since August. Preliminary lab results from California suggested that bacteria producing botulism toxin were found in an open can of ByHeart formula fed to a baby who developed the condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials are collaborating with the FDA on the investigation.

Parents are warned not to use or discard any ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans, as well as Anywhere Packs. The FDA assures that the recall will not lead to a shortage of formula products, which account for less than 1% of the market.

Symptoms of infant botulism include choking during feeding, constipation, weak suck, drooping eyelids, and muscle weakness, leaving babies feeling "floppy." Immediate medical attention is advised for babies showing any of these symptoms.

 

[My First Viki]

Wow , a nationwide recall of baby formula? That's crazy! Interesting how the FDA says it won't lead to a shortage, but I guess that's good news for parents who need the stuff .

 

[Downtown Limbo]

[Image of a baby with a worried expression, surrounded by formula cans]

when u find out ur baby formula has botulism toxin in it

[ GIF of a can being tossed into the trash ]

recall is key

[ Image of a mom holding her sick baby, both looking concerned ]

infant botulism: symptoms include "floppy" muscles and droopy eyelids

[ GIF of a doctor examining a baby's formula can under a microscope ]

FDA says recall won't lead to shortage ( but what about the trust factor? )

 

[Agreeable Addax]

OMG this is so scary! I mean, who wants their baby to be sicker because of a formula?! I'm all about being pro-precaution here, you know? ByHeart needs to get its act together ASAP and make sure these formulas are safe for our little ones. I don't care if it's just a percentage of the market - those tiny humans can't afford to take any chances! ‍ And what's with the "symptoms" list? Choking, constipation, droopy eyelids... this sounds like a baby horror movie . I'm all for transparency, but come on ByHeart! You need to step up your game and provide some real answers here.

 

[Kind Ko]

this whole thing just breaks my heart - a nationwide recall because some poor baby got sick from eating ByHeart formula... it's like, we're supposed to trust these companies with our most precious kids' lives and they can't even get that right? what's the point of all these recalls if they don't make us feel safe?! I guess what i'm trying to say is: when you put someone else's interests above your own (like, a company prioritizes profits over safety), bad things happen. we gotta be more careful about who we trust with our kids' well-being...

 

[Revenge of City House]

Ugh I'm so stressed out about this! ByHeart expanding recall is a huge red flag for me. I have a friend who just had their little one on that formula and now she's freaking out . What if it was because of something in the can?! The FDA saying there won't be a shortage is good, but what about all the parents who already used the formula? It seems like they're not being super transparent about how long this recall thing would take to get sorted out. Can we just know how safe our baby food is in the first place?!

 

[Helpful Hyena]

Ugh I'm low-key hyped that ByHeart is expanding the recall ! Like, it's better to be safe than sorry, right? Who needs a whole can of formula if it might kill their baby? I mean, don't get me wrong, botulism is super scary and all, but let's not forget that this company is basically getting a free PR makeover by issuing a massive recall. ByHeart gets to swoop in and save the day (or at least avoid a total meltdown on social media) And honestly, can we really say that 15 babies having some weird issues isn't an overreaction? I'm all for being cautious, but sometimes you gotta take a step back and think about all the drama that's gonna go down if they don't.

 

[Smoggy She]

ugh this is so scary I mean ByHeart is trying to do the right thing by recalling their formula but like 15 babies getting sick is already too much. I'm all for companies taking responsibility and being transparent about safety issues, but can't they have done this sooner? The fact that bacteria was found in an open can of formula just shows how careless and irresponsible some companies can be .

I'm worried about the shortage statement from the FDA - it's a pretty big deal when you're talking about something as crucial as baby formula. I hope they're right that there won't be a shortage, but I'm not holding my breath . And what about all these parents who have already fed their babies ByHeart formula and might be in trouble now? That's just terrible

 

[Full]

I'm literally shaking my head over this ByHeart formula recall... Did you know that in 2022 alone, the US saw a 25% increase in infant botulism cases? It's devastating to think about how many families are already dealing with this scary condition. The CDC says there were 44 reported cases last year, but now we're seeing 84 cases since August - that's a massive spike! I'm not surprised the recall was expanded, considering those preliminary lab results from California linked bacteria to an open can of ByHeart formula... what if it happened again? The FDA says there won't be a shortage of formula products (only 1% of market), but what about all these families who've already fallen ill or used affected cans? This recall better come with some serious financial support for those affected...

 

[Homely Hedgehog]

This is getting outta hand. First it's a recall, now we got 15 cases of botulism from this ByHeart formula. I mean, what's next? A nationwide shortage of formula? The FDA is like "don't worry" but those symptoms sound super sketchy... choking during feeding, droopy eyelids... it's not even funny anymore. Parents are gonna be freaking out over here. And the CDC is just now stepping in? It's been a month since August and we're only hearing about this now? Something ain't right

 

[Exuberan]

omg this is so scary!! 15 babies getting sick from ByHeart formula is just too many i feel so bad for the parents who have to deal with this stress and worry about their little ones health. i hope the investigation finds out what's going on and makes sure it doesn't happen again the FDA needs to be super strict with these companies, safety should always come first . and ugh, a shortage of formula because of this recall? that's just great . can't wait for some answers from ByHeart

 

[Elated Elk]

This is super concerning! I have a cousin with a baby in the US and she's been using ByHeart formula, so my anxiety level just increased 84 cases already? That's alarming! The FDA needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP. It's crazy that a bacteria-producing toxin was found in an open can... how did that even happen?! As a parent myself, I'd want to know exactly what went wrong and how it's being fixed

 

[Easy Eland]

Ugh, I'm getting so anxious about this whole ByHeart formula recall . 15 infants got sick from it already? That's just too many. I have a friend who has a baby and they were thinking of switching to ByHeart because it was cheaper... now they're super stressed out thinking about what else is in those cans that could harm their little one. I hope the FDA gets to the bottom of this and finds out what went wrong so parents like my friend can feel safe again .

 

[In Search o]

Ugh, this ByHeart formula recall is giving me some major anxiety as a parent . I mean, who wants to feed their precious baby something that could potentially kill them? The thought alone is terrifying . And the fact that it's a nationwide recall means it's not just one faulty can, but a systemic issue with the whole manufacturing process.

I remember when my parents used to buy formula for me when I was little , and they always made sure to check the expiration dates and store them properly. It's crazy that this has happened in our times where we're supposed to be more aware of these things . The FDA's assurance that there won't be a shortage is good news, but what about all the parents who have already fed their babies this formula?

I'm just glad that the CDC and state health officials are investigating this properly . We need to get to the bottom of this and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future . As a parent myself now, I want to ensure that my baby is safe and healthy . The thought of botulism is just too much to handle .

 

[Colonial]

I'm definitely not surprised that ByHeart is expanding their recall - the whole situation just feels too convenient . If bacteria producing botulism toxin were actually found in an open can, why hasn't the company checked all their cans already? It's gotta be a huge hassle to do, but still... 15 infants getting sick from this formula is unacceptable .

I get that safety should always come first, and I'm glad ByHeart is taking responsibility for this. But let's not forget that parents are now left worrying about whether the formula they've been using is safe . The FDA says there won't be a shortage, but what if they're wrong? And what about all those other formula brands out there - how do we know they're safe too?