Oregon — Oregon health officials are urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop using ByHeart infant formula as a national investigation into a multi-state botulism outbreak continues. Two Oregon infants have become ill from products tied to the recall, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
OHA and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) are working with the CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other state partners to track the outbreak, which has now sickened 23 infants in 13 states. All ByHeart powdered infant formula products have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer and should no longer be available in stores.
The greater concern, officials say, is formula that remains in households.
“Many parents and caregivers may still have ByHeart infant formula products in their pantries… Our message is clear: Do not use ByHeart infant formula,” said Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., OHA medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations.
Infant botulism occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores—commonly found in soil, dust, and honey—grow inside an infant’s gut and produce toxins. Early symptoms typically begin with constipation and can progress to feeding difficulty, weak cry, and loss of muscle tone. Severe cases require hospitalization. No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.
ODA is conducting statewide recall effectiveness checks to ensure all ByHeart products are removed from retail locations.
Families are urged to take the following precautions:
Stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula, including cans and single-serve sticks.
Label leftover formula “DO NOT USE” and store it for at least one month in case testing is needed. If no symptoms develop after that time, dispose of it.
Wash surfaces, bottles, scoops, and utensils that may have come into contact with the formula using hot, soapy water.
Most infants who consumed the recalled formula have not become ill, but symptoms can take up to a month to appear.
Seek immediate medical attention if an infant develops:
- Poor feeding or loss of interest in feeding for 6+ hours
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of head control
- Decreased facial expression
“I know this is a scary message for parents to hear… Right now, we know of two babies who have gotten sick in Oregon, even though many more drank the formula,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., state health officer and epidemiologist.
Families can find the latest updates on outbreak investigation pages maintained by the CDC and FDA.
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