ByHeart Baby Formula Recalled in Canada Amid Rising Infant Botulism Cases in U.S.
Toronto, ON – November 22, 2023 – Health officials in Canada have issued an alert recalling ByHeart baby formula after a surge in infant botulism cases linked to the product in the United States. The Canadian food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is advising consumers not to consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute affected byheart products.
The recall comes as at least 31 babies in 15 U.S.states have been hospitalized and treated for infant botulism since August after consuming ByHeart formula. The ages of those affected range from approximately two weeks to six months, with the most recent case reported on November 13th.No deaths have been reported in the U.S. to date.
While no illnesses have been reported in Canada linked to byheart products, the CFIA is taking a precautionary measure to protect public health.
Infant botulism is a serious illness caused by a bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, which forms spores that can germinate in a baby’s gut and produce a toxin.This toxin can led to paralysis and, in severe cases, death. food contaminated with the toxin may not exhibit any visible signs of spoilage, such as changes in smell or appearance.
Symptoms to Watch For:
Symptoms of infant botulism can take up to 30 days to develop and include:
* constipation
* Poor feeding
* A weak cry
* Drooping eyelids or a flat facial expression
* limb weakness
* A “floppy” appearance
* Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Adults experiencing botulism symptoms may exhibit:
* Facial paralysis or loss of facial expression
* Unreactive or fixed pupils
* Difficulty swallowing
* Drooping eyelids
* Blurred or double vision
* Difficulty speaking, including slurred speech
* Changes in voice, including hoarseness
Crucially, botulism does not cause a fever.
What Consumers Should Do:
The CFIA advises individuals who believe they may have become ill after consuming ByHeart products to contact their healthcare provider. Consumers are also urged to check if they have any affected products in their possession and to refrain from using them.
U.S. health officials are concerned that consumers may still have ByHeart formula at home and are advising them to stop use of all ByHeart products – including canned formula and single-serve sticks. They recommend marking the product with “DO NOT USE” and retaining it for at least one month, as the formula may be needed for testing if a baby develops symptoms.
This recall is part of a broader trend of recent food safety alerts in North America, prompting experts to emphasize that these recalls demonstrate the effectiveness of existing food safety systems.
