News Release


*For Immediate Release:*

November 9, 2025

 

*Public Health Alerts Parents and Caregivers to Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to ByHeart Powdered Infant Formula*

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is alerting parents and caregivers about an ongoing multistate outbreak of *infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula**. *Parents and caregivers should stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Do not use recalled infant formula, which is listed below. Throw it away or return it to where you bought it. If possible, record the lot number.

Seek immediate medical care if an infant shows any of the following symptoms:


* Constipation
* Difficulty feeding, sucking, or swallowing
* Weak cry or diminished facial expression
* Poor head control
* Muscle weakness or trouble breathing

Currently, there is one confirmed case in Los Angeles County. The infant was hospitalized but is now recovering.

Nationwide, *13 suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases* linked to ByHeart powdered formula have been reported across *10 states* since August 2025.  *All 13 cases (100%) reported feeding ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. There have been no deaths associated with this outbreak.*

The California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH*) **Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program*, which operates the only source of infant botulism treatment worldwide, identified an increase in cases and first alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the outbreak. Public Health is coordinating closely with *CDPH, CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),* and other state and local health departments to monitor potential cases in Los Angeles County and ensure the availability of treatment. *The investigation is ongoing.*

*About the Infant Formula*

On *November 8, 2025**, **ByHeart Inc.,* voluntarily recalled two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula:


* *Lot 206VABP/251261P2 (Use by 01 Dec 2026)*
* *Lot 206VABP/251131P2 (Use by 01 Dec 2026)*

The formula was sold through ByHeart.com and major retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, and Sam’s Club. According to the FDA, ByHeart formula represents less than 1% of all U.S. infant formula sales, and the recall is not expected to create a national shortage.

CDPH tested a can of powdered infant formula consumed by an infant diagnosed with infant botulism, with *preliminary results showing bacteria that produce botulinum toxin*, consistent with confirmed cases.

Public Health is collaborating with CDPH and federal partners to ensure that *any potentially contaminated product is removed from circulation* and that *infants showing possible symptoms are rapidly identified and treated**.*

*What Parents/Caregivers Should Do*

Parents and caregivers *should stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Do not use recalled infant formula. Throw it away or return it to where you bought it. If possible, record the lot number.*

Seek immediate medical care if an infant shows any of the following symptoms:


* Constipation
* Difficulty feeding, sucking, or swallowing
* Weak cry or diminished facial expression
* Poor head control
* Muscle weakness or trouble breathing

*Wash items and surfaces* that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

*About Infant Botulism*

Infant botulism is *a rare but serious illness* that occurs when spores of "Clostridium botulinum" colonize an infant’s intestines and produce botulinum toxin, leading to progressive muscle weakness and potential respiratory failure if untreated.

Healthcare providers are urged to *report suspected cases immediately* to their local health department to facilitate testing and access to treatment.

The only FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism, *BabyBIG®**,* is produced by *CDPH’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program*, which developed and supplies the treatment globally. BabyBIG® shortens hospital stays and significantly improves recovery for affected infants.

Public Health is ensuring rapid access to *BabyBIG®* for any potential cases in Los Angeles County. Physicians with suspected cases can contact the CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program at *(510) 231-7600* for immediate consultation.

Parents seeking guidance or concerned about possible exposure should contact their physician. They can also contact the *Public Health InfoLine at 1-833-540-0473, open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for assistance. *


facebook [ [link removed] ]twitter [ [link removed] ]instagram [ [link removed] ]youtube [ [link removed] ]

"*The Los Angeles County Departmen**t of Public Health* "

"The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well -being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises of more than 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion."

 

"Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works to protect health, 
prevent disease, and promote health and well-being."

 

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

 

Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]







________________________________________________________________________

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by County of Los Angeles [ [link removed] ].



________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent using GovDelivery Communications Cloud to [email protected] on behalf of: County of Los Angeles, California · 500 W. Temple St. · Los Angeles 90012  

body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;} p, li, h1, h2, h3 { overflow-wrap: normal; word-wrap: normal; word-break: keep-all; -moz-hyphens: none; -ms-hyphens: none; -webkit-hyphens: none; hyphens: none; mso-hyphenate: none; }