Mineola, NY - The Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) is alerting residents to a nationwide recall of ByHeart brand powdered infant formula due to an outbreak of infant botulism cases reported across multiple states. While no cases have been confirmed in New York State, a suspected case has been reported in a Nassau County infant under one year of age who consumed the affected product. The infant is currently hospitalized in stable condition.
Since August 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of 13 cases of infant botulism in 10 states, all involving infants who consumed ByHeart brand powdered infant formula.
ByHeart has issued a recall for two specific lots of ByHeart powdered infant formula:
- Lot 206VABP/251261P2 – “Use by 01 Dec 2026”
- Lot 206VABP/251131P2 – “Use by 01 Dec 2026”
Infants should not be fed the recalled formula. Parents and caregivers should throw the affected product away immediately. If a child is experiencing symptoms of botulism, seek immediate medical care and record the information on the bottom of the package before disposing of it.
Symptoms of Infant Botulism
Infant botulism typically affects infants under 12 months of age. Early signs may include:
- Constipation
- Poor feeding or weak suck
- Weakness or floppy head control
- Weak/altered cry
- Facial weakness
- Difficulty breathing in advanced cases
Symptoms may appear up to 30 days after exposure. Prompt medical evaluation is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment can be life-saving.
NCDOH urges parents and caregivers to:
- Check their formula products immediately and discard any recalled ByHeart powdered infant formula.
- Monitor infants for symptoms of botulism and seek medical care immediately if symptoms develop.
Healthcare providers are advised to:
- Ask about formula brand use when evaluating infant patients.
- Alert parents and guardians to the ByHeart formula recall.
- Report any suspected botulism cases immediately to the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9639
Additional and up-to-date information about this recall can be found on the FDA website here.