Since mid-August, at least 13 infants aged 2 weeks to 5 months have been hospitalized after consuming ByHeart powdered formula, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The affected states include Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. No deaths have been reported.

The California Department of Public Health warned consumers to stop using the product immediately. ByHeart, based in New York, has voluntarily recalled two lots of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, with a best-by date of December 2026, as additional testing continues.

Bold Italics: Bacteria Confirmed in Preliminary Tests

California health officials tested a can of powdered formula consumed by a sick infant. Preliminary results suggest the presence of the bacteria that produce botulism toxin, which has been confirmed in other cases. Further testing is required to validate these findings, as results can take several days.

ByHeart stated, “More testing is needed” to confirm whether the type of bacteria linked to botulism is present. The company emphasized that many bacteria in this family are naturally found in the environment and do not cause illness.

“We take this very seriously,” ByHeart said in a statement, adding that it is cooperating fully with federal authorities.

Bold Italics: Understanding Infant Botulism

Infant botulism is a rare condition that affects fewer than 200 babies in the U.S. each year. It occurs when bacteria produce toxins in the large intestine, leading to symptoms such as poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, and difficulty breathing. Infants under one year are particularly vulnerable to the spores, which can be found in soil, dust, water, and certain foods like honey.

Dr. Steven Abrams, a nutrition expert at the University of Texas, noted that confirmed outbreaks linked to powdered infant formula are extremely rare. “This would be extremely rare,” he said, underscoring the unusual nature of the current cases.

Bold Italics: Treatment for Affected Infants

The only approved treatment for infant botulism is BabyBIG, an intravenous medication made from the pooled blood plasma of adults immunized against botulism. Developed by California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, BabyBIG reduces the severity of illness and shortens hospital stays.

Because botulism can impair breathing, affected infants may require ventilators. The CDC reported that all infants in the ByHeart outbreak have received BabyBIG treatment.

Bold Italics: Impact on U.S. Formula Supply

Authorities do not anticipate any nationwide formula shortage resulting from this outbreak. ByHeart accounts for roughly 1% of U.S. formula sales, according to the CDC, and distributes products through its website and retail stores.

This situation contrasts with the 2021–2022 Abbott Nutrition crisis, when contamination issues forced nationwide recalls and triggered prolonged shortages. ByHeart previously recalled five batches in 2022 after a sample tested positive for a different germ, Cronobacter sakazakii, highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Bold Italics: Federal Review of Infant Formula

The outbreak has renewed federal attention on infant nutrition safety. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the FDA to review the ingredients and nutrient content of infant formulas, marking the first major review since 1998. Dubbed “Operation Stork Speed,” the initiative will evaluate public, industry, and scientific input to determine potential improvements and next steps in infant formula regulation.

FDA officials are also investigating 83 cases of infant botulism reported since August, including the incidents linked to ByHeart formula.

Bold Italics: Safety Recommendations for Parents

Parents and caregivers are urged to check for any recalled ByHeart formula in their homes and discontinue use immediately. Healthcare providers recommend contacting a pediatrician if an infant shows signs of poor feeding, unusual weakness, drooping eyelids, or breathing difficulties.

Authorities stress that prompt treatment significantly improves outcomes for affected infants.

Source: AP News – Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula

The post Tests Detect Botulism Bacteria in ByHeart Baby Formula appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

More than 70 people in seven states have fallen ill due to a salmonella outbreak traced back to eggs distributed by a California-based company, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed.

On Friday, August Egg Company issued a recall of 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs sold under various brand names, warning they may be contaminated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared the recall notice, urging consumers and businesses to take immediate action.

What You Need to Know About the Outbreak

So far, 79 people have been sickened, and 21 of them have required hospitalization. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported. The affected eggs were sold at restaurants and retailers across Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.

Some of the stores carrying the recalled eggs include major retailers like Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.

Why Salmonella is a Serious Concern

Salmonella infections can cause a range of symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—even in healthy individuals. For young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, the infection can lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening complications.

What August Egg Company is Doing About It

In a statement to the FDA, August Egg Company emphasized that it is not currently selling fresh shell eggs. The company has been diverting all eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, where eggs are pasteurized to kill any harmful pathogens.

“Our internal food safety team is conducting a stringent review to identify how this happened and to prevent future issues,” the company said. “We are fully committed to correcting this situation and ensuring it never happens again.”

What Should You Do?

If you have eggs from this recall at home or in your business, the CDC advises throwing them away or returning them to the store where you bought them. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential salmonella contamination.

Stay tuned for updates as health officials continue to monitor the situation and work to protect public safety.

Source: CNN – Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs sickens dozens of people across 7 states

The post Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Sickens Over 70 in 7 States appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.