LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development says consumers should throw away ByHeart infant formula, if they have it in their pantry.
A recall was initiated and later expanded last November for possible contamination by the potentially deadly bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum.
The state says it continues to find the recalled infant formula for sale at so-calld distressed food handlers across the state. Those are discount, salvage, or outlet stores that sell food items removed from traditional supermarkets due to issues including near-expiration dates, dented cans, damaged packaging, or overstock.
Here are more details from the MDARD news release:
The recalled formula has been included in liquidation food boxes sold by reclamation food distributors, and subsequently on store shelves for purchase.
Keeping our infants safe and healthy is paramount. Our inspectors have addressed these critical safety issues with specific retailers and distributors where problems have been found, said Jennifer Bonsky, Human Food Division director. Given there isn't a uniform tracking system for sales and distribution of reclaimed products, MDARD is urging all surplus food, distressed food, or food reclamation stores to be extra diligent and ensure these products aren't being taken home by Michigan families.
Any retailer or distributor who finds either the recalled ByHeart infant formula or outdated infant products as part of their supply needs to ensure they're immediately removed from sales shelves and destroyed.
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula was available for sale online and in stores at major retailers nationwide. ByHeart formula may have also been available through online marketplaces but should not be sold or purchased.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health s (CDPH) Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), and other state and local partners, began to investigate a multistate outbreak of infant botulism in November 2025. Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores are ingested and then colonize the intestinal tract, producing botulinum neurotoxins in the immature gut of infants. Symptoms of infant botulism, which is diagnosed clinically, can take as long as several weeks to develop following formula ingestion. If your child has consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and is experiencing signs and symptoms of botulism such as poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, or decreased facial expression, seek immediate medical attention.
If families find the recalled formula or expired infant formula in their homes it should be thrown away. For more information on the FDA recall, please visit their website.
###