(DDM) – Health officials across the United States say recalled ByHeart infant formula remains on store shelves even as confirmed cases of infant botulism continue to climb.
DDM gathered that the contaminated batches are linked to at least 31 reported illnesses nationwide, prompting renewed warnings for parents to check the formula they purchased.
State authorities have raised alarms after discovering that several retailers failed to remove the recalled products despite multiple nationwide alerts.
The continued presence of the formula on shelves has fueled concerns that more babies could unknowingly be exposed to the dangerous bacteria.
ByHeart announced late Wednesday that independent laboratory testing confirmed contamination in samples of its powdered infant formula.
The company reported that Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for producing life-threatening toxins in babies under one year old, was detected during the investigation.
Officials said the outbreak involves a form of infant botulism that can cause severe muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, and paralysis if not treated promptly.
ByHeart stated that they have notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the lab-confirmed findings.
However, the company did not reveal how many product samples were examined or how many tested positive for bacterial contamination.
Infant botulism is rare but extremely dangerous, and outbreaks tied to infant formula are even rarer, making this case particularly troubling for public health officials.
The investigation began after parents reported that their babies showed symptoms including weak cries, poor feeding, and limpness—classic indicators of early botulism infection.
Laboratory testing confirmed that the cases were linked to formula batches distributed nationwide before the recall was issued.
Authorities say the discovery of recalled formula still available for purchase underscores a serious failure in the recall system.
Several states have begun issuing penalties and compliance warnings to retailers who ignored or delayed recall instructions.
The FDA has urged parents to check the batch codes on all ByHeart formula containers to ensure they do not have any of the recalled products at home.
Health experts emphasize that even a small amount of botulinum toxin can be enough to cause severe illness in infants, making immediate disposal essential.
ByHeart says it is cooperating fully with investigators and insists it is committed to ensuring the safety of its products going forward.
Advocacy groups are calling for stricter oversight of infant formula manufacturing and more aggressive recall enforcement to prevent similar events in the future.
Public health officials warn that the number of affected infants may continue to rise if contaminated products remain in circulation.
Parents who suspect their baby may have consumed the recalled formula are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
