NJ health officials warn parents after infant botulism cases tied to ByHeart formula recall
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health is urging parents and caregivers to stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism was linked to the product, which has now been recalled nationwide.
Health officials said illnesses have been reported in 12 states, including one hospitalized infant in New Jersey. All 15 confirmed cases are reported to have consumed ByHeart formula.
“While infant botulism remains rare, it is a serious illness that requires immediate medical attention. We urge parents and caregivers to check their infant formula and stop using any product from the affected lots,” Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown said in a statement. “Quick recognition of symptoms and prompt treatment are key. Our priority is ensuring every infant’s safety as we work with our federal and state partners to investigate this outbreak and prevent future cases.”
ByHeart initially recalled two lots of formula, but on Wednesday expanded the recall to include all ByHeart infant formula sold nationwide — in both cans and single-serve sticks. The product is sold online and at major retailers and represents less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Parents and caregivers are instructed to immediately stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula and to wash any items or surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled product using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
Symptoms of infant botulism can include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, weak facial expression, and difficulty swallowing. The illness can progress to trouble breathing and respiratory arrest. Symptoms may take several weeks to develop.
Parents are advised to monitor infants closely and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. Officials also recommend saving leftover formula that has already been prepared and fed to an infant for at least one month, in case public health officials need to test it. If no symptoms develop in that time, the formula can be discarded.
Infant botulism occurs when spores of Clostridium botulinum germinate in an infant’s intestine and produce toxin that enters the bloodstream and affects the nervous system. The illness is treated with botulism immune globulin intravenous, known as BabyBIG, which helps neutralize the toxin. Most infants recover fully with treatment.
Most cases occur in babies under 6 months old. Other known risk factors include exposure to honey or honey-containing products in infants under 12 months and exposure to soil or dust, including areas near construction sites.
The CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states continue to investigate the outbreak. Illnesses connected to the recalled formula have been reported in Arizona, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.
Health officials emphasized that the recall is not expected to cause infant formula shortages.
