Infant Formula Linked To Botulism Cases In CA, 9 Other States

Federal and state health officials are investigating cases of botulism that have lead to the hospitalization of 13 infants across 10 different states. The infant botulism cases, which includes two cases in California, have been linked to a baby formula that is now being recalled, federal health officials said Saturday.

ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula has agreed to recall two different lots of their formula, and anyone who has the specified formula should throw it away, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The lot codes, which can be found on the bottom of the recalled infant formula can are:

• Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”)
• Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”)

Health officials say those who used the infant formula should wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

In total, 13 infants have been hospitalized in the multi-state outbreak, with a single case reported of botulism in Arizona, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvanai, Rhode Island, Washington. Two cases have been reported in each of the following states: Illinois, Texas and California, according to the FDA.

No deaths have been reported, the FDA said.

All infants who who have become sick consumed ByHeart-brand powdered infant formula. The formula, which is sold online and sold at major retailers across the nation, makes up an estimated less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, according to health officials.

The infants who have become sick consumed the formula between August and November, according to the FDA.

"Officials in several states have collected leftover infant formula for testing," the FDA said in a statement Saturday. "This testing is underway, and results are not yet available but expected in the coming weeks."

Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and make toxin in it, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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, according to the FDA.

Botulism can be fatal and so if an infant is experiencing symptoms, parents or caregivers should seek immediate health care.