If your child or patient has not received ByHeart infant formula, please click on the yellow header above for information about infant botulism and BabyBIG.

Health Care Providers seeking information regarding a patient who drank ByHeart infant formula, click here.

Outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart infant formula.

US federal and state public health officials in several states are investigating a nationwide outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart infant formula. Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows bacteria that then grow in the gut and make botulinum toxin. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of head control.

New Infant Botulism Hotline for Parents and Caregivers 1-833-398-2022

Available toll-free 7 days a week, 7AM – 11PM (pacific time)
Trained staff can help with:

• Understanding signs of infant botulism
• What to do if your baby consumed ByHeart formula
• How to safely handle recalled products
• Where to find updates and resources, including treatment, if needed

⚠️ If your baby is experiencing a medical emergency or showing signs of infant botulism, such as poor feeding, loss of head control or muscle weakness - call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

What should parents do?

Warning: If you feel that your baby is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

• If this is not an emergency, please contact your child’s primary care provider about your child’s health.
• Our program does not provide medical advice directly to patients or families.

Do not use ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula

• Infant botulism is still a very rare disease, most infants who have been fed ByHeart formula will NOT experience infant botulism.
• If you have leftover ByHeart powdered formula that your infant was fed, keep it stored for at least a month. If your infant develops symptoms of infant botulism, your state health department may want to collect it for testing. If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the formula using soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Seek immediate medical attention if your baby drank ByHeart infant formula in the past 30 days and has any of these symptoms:
  • Poor feeding
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Weaker facial expressions
  • Loss of head control
• Watch closely for these symptoms for 30 days after your baby last drank ByHeart formula.
• Constipation is a very common sign in healthy infants. It is also a common early sign of infant botulism.

My baby is not sick today. Does my baby need to be tested?

• No. Testing for infant botulism is not recommended for healthy babies.
• Testing for infant botulism is complicated, not rapid, and only performed by a few, specialized laboratories in the US.
• State public health departments need to approve requests for testing.