Home / Health / Rare Botulism Outbreak Linked to Baby Formula Ends
Rare Botulism Outbreak Linked to Baby Formula Ends
26 Feb
Summary
- Dozens of babies sickened by recalled ByHeart formula are now recovered.
- No new infant botulism cases reported since mid-December.
- The root cause of the formula contamination remains under investigation.
A rare and unprecedented outbreak of infant botulism, affecting dozens of babies who consumed ByHeart formula, has officially ended. Health officials confirmed no new cases have emerged since mid-December, marking a significant relief for parents and authorities. In total, 48 infants were hospitalized due to the contamination.
While all affected children have recovered and no deaths were reported, the exact origin of the contamination remains elusive. Federal investigators are still working to pinpoint how the organic, whole-milk powdered formula became tainted with the dangerous bacteria. The company, ByHeart, issued a recall of its products in November, with federal health officials later suggesting that ingredients used since the company's March 2022 launch could be implicated.
This outbreak, the largest of its kind, prompted widespread concern. Botulism, caused by ingested spores that release a potent toxin, attacks the nervous system and can be fatal if untreated. The only available treatment is an IV medication known as BabyBIG, exclusively sourced from California.
