The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, has issued a statement recalling an organic baby formula. The company ByHeart Inc's two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has been recalled, the lots are:Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")In a statement, the CDC wrote: CDC and public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula. Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and make toxin in it. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone.The CDC also notes that 10 states have seen the cases infant botulism. 13 cases have been reported, all of them leading to hospitalization. The Food and Drug Administration (DA), US has also asked parents and caregivers who have this product to identify the given lot information at the bottom of the packaging and if it matches, they must throw it away. The FDA has said that it is working with retailers to remove "all potentially impacted product" from the store shelves. FDA has also asked parents who have fed their kids ByHeart's infant formula to keep and eye on them as a precaution and botulism can take two weeks to develop. The States Which Have Reported The Cases Of Infant Botulism Linked With ByHeart Formula:ArizonaCaliforniaIllinoisMinnesotaNew JerseyOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandTexasWashingtonWhat Is Infant Botulism?Most common form of all botulism in babies, who are between 2 to 8 months old. It happens when the bacteria spores grow in a baby’s intestines and produce the toxin. Honey and contaminated soil can be sources of infant botulism. Adults can also get this type, though it’s rare.What Are The Symptoms Of Botulism In Infants?As per CDC, the symptoms include:Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowingIf untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and required weeks of hospitalizationThe CDC has also recommended that if clinical supports infant botulism then parents and caregivers must begin the treatment and should not wait for laboratory confirmation. What Did The Makers Of The Infant Formula Say?ByHeart, which is a New York City based company said that the FDA has as of now tracked 83 reports of infant botulism across the nation since August, 13 of them from the formula. In the statement, the company said: "ByHeart is taking the proactive step to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants. The FDA has not identified a direct link between any infant formula and these cases and there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism."
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