The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has announced an urgent recall affecting all products from ByHeart Inc., including the 24-ounce cans and 0.6-ounce individual-serve packets of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. This action is taken due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that poses a significant health risk to infants.
Infant botulism, while rare, can lead to severe health complications. Symptoms may include constipation, poor feeding, and respiratory difficulties. In light of this serious threat, the DOH advises parents and caregivers to stop using all ByHeart products immediately. They should monitor infants for any health issues, particularly if the formula was consumed recently.
Local retailers, including Target and Safeway, are collaborating with the DOH to remove the affected products from store shelves promptly. This recall follows an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled items should dispose of them right away. The DOH recommends thoroughly sanitizing all feeding supplies with hot, soapy water to prevent any potential health risks.
For parents seeking further assistance, the DOH encourages contacting ByHeart Inc. at [email protected] or by calling their 24/7 hotline at 1-833-429-4327 for information regarding refunds and additional guidance.
This recall serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing vigilance required in food safety, especially concerning products intended for vulnerable populations such as infants. The DOH continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of all consumers.
