
As cases of potentially deadly botulism in babies who drank ByHeart infant formula continue to grow, state officials say they are still finding the recalled product on some store shelves.
Investigators in at least three states found ByHeart formula for sale a week after the New York-based company recalled all products nationwide, officials told The Associated Press.
At least 31 babies in 15 states who drank ByHeart formula have been hospitalized and treated for infantile botulism since August, federal health officials said Wednesday. They range in age from about 2 weeks to about 6 months, with the most recent case reported on Nov. 13.
No deaths have been reported.
In Oregon, nine of more than 150 stores checked still had the formula on shelves this week, a state agriculture official said. In Minnesota, investigators conducted 119 checks between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 and removed recalled products from sale at four sites, an agriculture department official said. An Arizona health official also said they found the product available.
Businesses and consumers should remain alert, Minnesota officials said in a statement. “No affected product should be sold or consumed,” they wrote.
Investigators with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted inspections at ByHeart manufacturing plants in Allerton, Iowa, and Portland, Oregon. No results from the inspections have been reported.
ByHeart officials said they voluntarily recalled their products “in close cooperation” with the FDA, “despite the fact that no unopened ByHeart product has tested positive" for the spores or toxin that cause infant botulism.
California officials previously confirmed the type of bacteria that can lead to illness was confirmed in an open can of ByHeart formula fed to a baby who developed botulism.
Infant botulism, which can cause paralysis and death, is caused by a type of bacteria that forms spores that germinate in a baby's gut and produce a toxin.
Symptoms can take up to 30 days to develop and include constipation, poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids or a flat facial expression. Babies can develop weakness in their limbs and head and may feel “floppy.” They can have trouble swallowing or breathing.
ByHeart had been manufacturing about 200,000 cans of formula per month. It was sold online or at retail stores such as Target and Walmart. A Walmart spokesperson said the company swiftly issued a restriction that prevented sale of the formula, removed the product from stores and notified consumers who had bought it. Customers can visit any store for a refund of the formula, which sold for about $42 per can.
Federal and state health officials are concerned that some parents and caregivers may still have ByHeart products in their homes. They are advising consumers to stop using the product — including formula in cans and any singe-serve sticks. They also suggest marking it “DO NOT USE” and keeping it for at least a month in case a baby develops symptoms. In that case, the formula would need to be tested.
The California health department operates the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which tracks cases and distributes treatment for the disease. Officials there have launched a public hotline at 833-398-2022, which is staffed with health officials from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
The hotline has fielded hundreds of calls from parents and caregivers to date, officials said. It is being operated in addition to a longstanding hotline for doctors to discuss suspected infant botulism cases.
__
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
latest_posts
- 1
The most effective method to Recognize a Great Lab Jewel - 2
From Modesty to Administration: Self-improvement in Interactive abilities - 3
When fake data is a good thing – how synthetic data trains AI to solve real problems - 4
Exploring the Gig Economy: Examples from Consultants - 5
Experience Arranging: Planning for Epic Excursions
UN estimates over 2,000 Sudanese pregnant women have fled el-Fasher to escape conflict
40代で大人の恋愛模様を彩る役で目を引く中村ゆり。『終幕のロンド』ヒロインで見せる切なさと美しさ #エキスパートトピ(斉藤貴志) - エキスパート - Yahoo!ニュース
Flourishing in Retirement: Individual Accounts of Post-Vocation Satisfaction
「鬼滅の刃」と「国宝」がヒット、利益予想を上方修正 ソニーG決算(朝日新聞)
Instructions to Really Oversee Unsold SUVs in the Auto Business
VPN Administrations for Online Protection
Simple Consideration Plants for Home and Office: An Aide
ソフトバンク・中村晃 1歳息子の闘病を告白 病名は難病「乳児てんかん性スパズム症候群」「この1年弱、息子はとても頑張っていました」(デイリースポーツ)
パルマがGK鈴木彩艶の診断結果を発表…左手中指と舟状骨の骨折、手術の可能性も(サッカーキング)













