A 10-month-old boy in Portland, Oregon, is fighting infant botulism after consuming contaminated ByHeart baby formula donated through a scheme for low-income families. Ashaan Carter has been hospitalised twice and remains reliant on a feeding tube following the infection, which has affected over 50 infants across the US.
His mother, Angel Carter, received a can of the formula from an Oregon Department of Human Services case worker in early November, days before a national recall. Ms Carter, who receives state support, said she was told the formula was 'closest to breast milk' and could help as her milk supply diminished. 'I accepted it thinking, OK, I’m hoping my baby can get on a bottle. It’s been all downhill since then,' she said.
State officials acknowledged the agency received ByHeart formula from PDX Diaper Bank, one of nearly two dozen nonprofit groups part of ByHeart’s 'OpenHearted Initiative' that donated formula to families in need. Since June 2022, nearly 24,000 cans have been distributed. All products have been recalled due to potential contamination.
Soon after consuming the formula, Ashaan developed severe constipation and muscle weakness. He was diagnosed with presumed infant botulism tied to the ByHeart formula, according to Dr Sylvia Peterson-Perry. He was treated with BabyBIG, an IV medication, and hospitalised for nearly two weeks in November. After a decline including dramatic weight loss, he was readmitted in December and now has a feeding tube. 'It’s devastating, especially for our vulnerable families who are trusting this product to nourish their child,' Dr Peterson-Perry said.
PDX Diaper Bank received about 400 cans of donated formula through Baby2Baby and distributed over 300 before the recall. Rachel Alston, the group’s executive director, said partners confirmed they informed families. ByHeart officials said they worked to ensure products were pulled. No new cases have been reported since 17 December, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The US Food and Drug Administration has inspected ByHeart plants but released no information about the source of the outbreak. Production remains shut down.
Seattle food safety lawyer Bill Marler said Carter is one of over 30 families he represents whose babies were sickened. At least 18 lawsuits have been filed against ByHeart and stores that sold the formula. Marler has asked a federal panel to consolidate the cases in a US district court in New York.
