Home / Health / Families Sue ByHeart After Babies Hospitalized with Rare Botulism Illness
Families Sue ByHeart After Babies Hospitalized with Rare Botulism Illness
16 Nov
Summary
- 23 infants sickened with suspected or confirmed infant botulism linked to ByHeart formula
- Two families file lawsuits against ByHeart after their babies contracted the rare, potentially deadly disease
- ByHeart recalls all batches of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula nationwide
As of November 16, 2025, ByHeart Inc., a baby nutrition company, is at the center of a nationwide infant formula recall and lawsuits from two families whose infants were sickened with a rare and potentially deadly illness.
The company has recalled all batches of its ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after 23 infants across 13 U.S. states were reported with suspected or confirmed cases of infant botulism. The families of two of these infants, the Dexters from Arizona and the Everetts from Kentucky, have filed federal lawsuits against ByHeart, alleging the company's formula directly caused their children to contract the rare disease.
The Dexters' baby girl, who was born healthy in July, began exhibiting symptoms like stomach discomfort and feeding difficulties after being fed ByHeart formula starting in early August. By the end of that month, the infant had to be airlifted to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with infant botulism and received extensive treatment. The Everetts' 4-month-old daughter also developed neurological symptoms and was hospitalized in early November after consuming ByHeart formula.
ByHeart has stated it is cooperating fully with the FDA's investigation into the outbreak and providing unrestricted access to its facilities and products. The company has expressed deep regret over the situation and urged consumers to immediately discard any ByHeart formula they have purchased.
