2 Babies Sickened In IL, Parents Warned Not To Use Recalled Baby Formula Amid Botulism Outbreak

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging parents and guardians to discontinue use of a recalled brand of powdered infant formula which has been linked to 23 suspected or confirmed cases of infant botulism in 13 states, including Illinois. The reminder comes after the recall of ByHeart formula was expanded to include all lots of the brand’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, the department said in a release this week.

On Wednesday, IDPH reported that 15 babies in 12 states had become ill after consuming the formula. By Friday, that number had jumped to 23 babies in 13 states who have confirmed or suspected botulism, according to the CDC.

In Illinois, two infants have become ill after consuming the product. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of infant botulism Type A in one child; test results are pending on the second case. Infant botulism is a serious infection, with symptoms that may include drowsiness or lethargy, a weak cry, poor muscle tone, constipation, and other issues.

“The health and safety of our youngest Illinoisans is one of our highest priorities,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We are urging all parents, guardians, and childcare providers to take immediate action by following the recall guidance and stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant formula. If your child has consumed this product and shows any signs of illness, please seek medical care immediately.”

Illnesses have also been reported in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.

IDPH urges parents with unopened containers of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula to throw it out or return it to point of purchase for a refund. If their infant has consumed any of the product within the past 30 days, parents should retain the unused portion of the product for possible testing.

Additionally, any unused product should be clearly labeled “DO NOT USE” and should be kept on a high shelf, separate from other infant formula, to prevent any chance of inadvertently giving it to their infant. Childcare facilities should not store the product, the department heeds.

Childcare facilities should communicate with the parents who provided the product about the recall. They should then label the product “DO NOT USE” and either throw the product away, or return it to the parents to store while monitoring their child. If discarded, consumers are advised to document the lot and batch number of the formula and “best-by” date, and retain the information for 30 days. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends washing any items or surfaces that have touched the formula, using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Infant botulism symptoms can begin up to 30 days after a baby consumes contaminated formula. That means parents and caregivers should closely monitor their baby for signs of illness for a full month after the last time the formula was used.

If an infant has consumed the formula, families may understandably want testing, even if their child isn’t showing symptoms. Unfortunately, due to the nature of infant botulism, testing is not effective until symptoms are present.

If your baby becomes unusually sleepy, has a weak cry, trouble feeding, constipation, or just seems “off,” and has consumed ByHeart formula, contact your pediatrician or go to the emergency department right away. If botulism is suspected, doctors can administer an antitoxin to help treat the infection.

Parents and guardians who have questions should contact their pediatrician or local health department. You can also learn more at Infant Botulism.

A Pennsylvania plant run by ByHeart was shut down this year after inspections uncovered "mold, a leaking roof and more than 2,500 dead insects in a food production area," the New York Times reported.