Baby formula recall: Arizona couple sues ByHeart manufacturer
A Flagstaff couple is suing the maker of Byheart infant formula. The couple claims their daughter was hospitalized with botulism caused by the product.
Fox – 10 Phoenix
The number of cases of infant botulism linked to recalled baby formula is increasing.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are currently 31 cases in 15 states related to the recalled Byheart Whole Nutrition infant formula products.
By Heart subsequently recalled all batches of By Heart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and single-use “anywhere pack” sticks.
“We continue to urge parents and caregivers to immediately stop using BiHeart Formula,” the company said in an Instagram post. “Watch your child for symptoms of infant botulism and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.”
Here’s what you need to know about the recall.
When was the ByHeart formula recall first announced?
On November 8, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its first voluntary recall of a specific batch of Byheart infant formula.
ByHeart infant formula recall linked to infant botulism cases reported in 15 states
- arizona
- California
- idaho
- illinois
- kentucky
- maine
- Michigan
- minnesota
- new jersey
- north carolina
- Oregon
- pennsylvania
- rhode island
- texas
- washington
Initially there were 10 states, which has now expanded to 15 states. New states include Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the states reporting the most cases are Oregon, California, Arizona and Texas. There are 2 cases each. The rest have only one reported case.
What ByHeart Formula products are subject to recall?
ByHeart has voluntarily recalled all batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and all Anywhere Packs.
Where was the recalled ByHeart formula sold?
According to the FDA, the recalled products were sold online and at major retailers nationwide.
Have there been any hospitalizations or deaths related to the ByHeart formula recall?
A total of 31 cases of infant botulism were reported, according to the USDA. Hospitalization occurred in both cases.
The range of onset of illness for infants aged 16 to 200 days is August 9th to November 13th.
No deaths related to the recall have been reported.
What are the symptoms of infant botulism?
According to the CDC, parents or guardians who experience the following symptoms in their infants should seek immediate medical attention:
- poor feeding
- loss of head control
- difficulty swallowing
- decrease in facial expressions
Botulism can take several weeks to develop, so parents or guardians who have recently fed their infants with the recalled formula should continue to be cautious.
Infant botulism can be fatal and must be treated immediately.
What should I do if I purchased the recalled ByHeart formula?
Parents who purchased the recalled baby formula should immediately stop using it and either throw it away or return it to the retailer where it was purchased.
According to ByHeart’s website, people who purchase formula from ByHeart’s website will receive a full refund for up to two products, whether in cans or Anywhere Packs. First-time customers will receive a full refund on their first order.
Contributor: James Powell, USA TODAY
Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY, covering scientific research and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamaigz or email jgomez@hannett.com.
