Formula Linked To Infant Botulism Cleared From Camden Co. Store Shelves

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Recalled baby formula products linked to a botulism outbreak that has sickened infants around the country have been removed from the shelves in Camden County stores, officials said Monday. Parents are urged to stop using the products.

Federal health officials are investigating ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula linked to the illness.

Since August, 23 infants have been sickened by suspected or confirmed botulism after exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula products, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). All of them were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported as of Friday.

Parents and caregivers should stop using any ByHeart infant formula products immediately, the FDA says.

On Nov. 8, ByHeart voluntarily recalled two batches of infant formula after the FDA notified them of a broader investigation into a recent outbreak of infant botulism. Three days later, ByHeart expanded the recall to all of its infant formula products nationwide at the FDA's request.

Cases have been detected in 13 states, including a case in northeastern New Jersey, according to health officials.

Camden County officials identified 17 retailers that were carrying ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Packs. The stores have cleared them off the shelves, said County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge.

"We ensured that the products were removed from the shelves, and that retailers were notified of their obligations under the recall," Betteridge said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves."

If you have the formula at home, county officials advise the following:

• 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, the 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.

Affected infants can present some or all of the following signs and symptoms:

• Constipation
• Poor feeding
• Ptosis (drooping eyelid)
• Sluggish pupils
• Low muscle tone
• Difficulty sucking and swallowing
• Weak or altered cry
• Generalized weakness
• Respiratory difficulty
• Possible respiratory arrest

Visit the FDA's webpage on the outbreak for more info.