Gloucester Township stores are among retailers in Camden County who have removed ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula from their shelves after a nationwide recall prompted by cases of infant botulism.
The recall was initially issued on Nov. 8 for two batches of the formula and expanded on Nov. 11 to include all ByHeart infant formula products, including cans and single-serve sticks. The county health department – in coordination with the FDA – had environmental health specialists conduct inspections at 17 retailers.
“We ensured that the products were removed from the shelves,” said county Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, “and that retailers were notified of their obligations under the recall.
“We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves.”
As of Nov. 10, according to the FDA, 15 cases of infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism and confirmed exposure to ByHeart formula have been reported across 12 states, including New Jersey. The illness is a rare but serious condition caused when Clostridium botulinum spores colonize the intestines and produce neurotoxins.
Symptoms can include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, low muscle tone, difficulty sucking and swallowing, weak or altered cry, generalized weakness and respiratory issues.
Parents and caregivers are urged to stop using any ByHeart formula products immediately. Those whose babies have consumed the formula and are showing symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. For infants who have consumed the formula but are symptom-free, careful monitoring is advised, with medical consultation if symptoms develop.
Families who still have ByHeart formula at home are advised to photograph the product’s lot information, store it safely, label it as “Do not use,” and follow guidance from health officials. Containers may be collected for testing if infants develop symptoms, or discarded after 30 days if no symptoms occur.
