As cases of potentially deadly botulism continue to rise in infants who drank Byheart formula, state officials said the recalled products are still being found on some store shelves.
Meanwhile, the company reported late Wednesday that laboratory tests had confirmed that some samples of the baby formula were contaminated with the type of bacteria that sickened more than 30 infants in the outbreak.
Testing by an independent food safety laboratory detected Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces a toxin that can cause a potentially life-threatening illness in infants under one year old, the company said on its website. Byheart officials said they had notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of their findings, but declined to say how many samples were tested or how many positive results there were.
“We are investigating the facts, conducting ongoing testing to determine the source, and working to ensure this never happens to our family again,” Beichert said on its website.
The FDA did not immediately respond to questions about the findings.
The lab's results were released as investigators in at least three states discovered that Byheart's formula was still being sold even after the New York-based company recalled all its products nationwide, officials told The Associated Press.
Federal health officials announced Wednesday that 31 infants in at least 15 states who drank Byheart formula have been hospitalized and treated for infant botulism since August. Their ages range from about two weeks to about six months, and the latest cases were reported on Nov. 13.
No deaths were reported.
Get weekly health news
Get the latest medical news and health information every Sunday.
In Oregon, the formula was still on shelves in nine of more than 150 stores inspected this week, state agriculture officials said. In Minnesota, investigators conducted 119 tests between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 and removed recalled products from sale at four locations, USDA officials said. Arizona health officials said they also discovered the product was available.
Minnesota officials said in a statement that businesses and consumers must remain vigilant. “Affected products should not be sold or consumed,” they wrote.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigators inspected Byhart manufacturing plants in Allerton, Iowa, and Portland, Oregon. Test results have not been reported.
California officials previously confirmed the presence of potentially disease-causing bacteria in an opened can of Bihart formula given to sick infants.
Infant botulism, which can lead to paralysis and death, is caused by a type of bacteria that germinates in an infant's intestine to form spores that produce toxins.
current trends
Canada Post and union reach 'agreement in principle' for new agreement
Carney said the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine requires “more work.” Experts call this a “disaster”
Health Details More Videos
Symptoms can take up to 30 days to appear and include constipation, poor feeding, weak crying, droopy eyelids, and a flat facial expression. Your baby may feel weak in the limbs and head, and may feel “light-headed.” Swallowing and breathing may become difficult.
ByHeart was producing about 200,000 cans of baby formula a month. It was sold online and at retailers such as Target and Walmart.
A Walmart spokesperson said the company quickly issued a restriction prohibiting the sale of the formula, removed the product from stores and notified consumers who purchased it. Customers can go to any store and get a refund for the formula, which was 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 advise consumers to stop using products containing canned milk powder and single-use sticks. They also recommend marking it “do not use” and storing it for at least a month in case your baby develops symptoms. In that case, you need to test the expression.
The California Department of Health Services operates the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which tracks cases and distributes treatments for the disease. State officials have launched a public hotline, 833-398-2022, which will be staffed by health officials from 7 a.m. Pacific Time to 11 p.m.
Officials said the new hotline was created after hundreds of calls from parents and caregivers flooded another long-standing hotline for doctors to discuss suspected cases of infant botulism.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has also notified Canadians of the recall who may have purchased affected Byheart products online from some U.S. retailers. The CFIA says the affected infant formula should not be consumed, offered, used, sold or distributed under any circumstances.
– With files from Global’s Ari Rabinovitch
© 2025 The Canadian Press