Santa Cruz County public health officials are urging families to stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after it was linked to a multi-state outbreak of infant botulism, a rare illness that can cause muscle weakness and can be fatal if left untreated.
While no cases of infant botulism have been reported in Santa Cruz County, county environmental investigators on Monday confirmed finding the recalled formula at Target and Whole Foods locations in the area, according to a Tuesday morning media release.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health and other state agencies are investigating 13 suspected or confirmed cases of botulism linked to the formula across 10 states. The infants became sick starting in August.
The recalled lots of the product have been traced to about 400 stores across 37 California counties. The formula is also sold online.
“County Environmental Health investigations indicated that the recalled product was sold in the community, therefore we are urging families to check their pantries to confirm they do not have this potentially contaminated product,” Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County public health officer, said in a statement.
Hernandez urged families to reach out to their health care provider if their baby shows any symptoms, which can take several weeks to appear and can include constipation, difficulty feeding, poor head control, weak or altered cry, diminished facial expression and generalized muscle weakness.
The recall applies to the following two batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula:
• Lot 206VABP/Batch: 251261P2, Use by: 01 Dec 2026
• Lot: 206VABP/Batch: 251131P2, Use by: 01 Dec 2026
• The batch code can be found on the bottom of the can.
• Universal Product Code (UPC): 85004496800.
• The UPC code can be found below the product’s bar code.
County officials are advising caregivers to immediately stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and to wash belongings and surfaces that might have come into contact with the formula with hot soapy water.
If caregivers detect any symptoms after an infant consumes the formula, keep the packaging, record the brand name and lot number for county officials’ reporting and investigating purposes. County officials ask that caregivers not throw away the product until getting in touch with Santa Cruz County Public Health.
County public health officials are monitoring the outbreak as other state and federal agencies investigate the contaminated formula and botulism outbreak across the country. All suspected cases of infant botulism must be reported to the state public health department.
The county also advises that local health care providers immediately contact the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program by phone at 510-231-7600 for suspected cases. If the consultation confirms infant botulism, begin treatment as soon as possible and don’t wait for laboratory results to confirm.
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