Executive Summary
- The California Department of Public Health has launched a public hotline (1-833-398-2022) for a nationwide infant botulism outbreak.
- The outbreak has been linked to ByHeart Infant Formula, which is now under a nationwide recall.
- Officials urge consumers to immediately stop using the formula and report any symptoms to a doctor.
- Infant botulism is a serious condition caused by a toxin that leads to muscle weakness and can result in respiratory failure.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established a public hotline to address concerns regarding a nationwide infant botulism outbreak linked to recalled ByHeart Infant Formula. Concerned parents and caregivers can reach the department toll-free at 1-833-398-2022 for information and support.
The hotline is operational seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, and is staffed by trained public health personnel. This service is separate from a dedicated medical line that continues to operate 24/7 for healthcare providers. The initiative aims to provide direct assistance to the public amid the ongoing health investigation.
State public health officials, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other states, identified the outbreak’s connection to the formula. The U.S. Food and Drug Branch subsequently announced that ByHeart had initiated a nationwide recall of all its infant formula products.
Both the CDPH and federal officials have issued a strong recommendation for anyone possessing ByHeart infant formula to cease its use immediately. They also advise reporting any potential signs of infant botulism to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
About Infant Botulism
Infant botulism occurs when an infant ingests spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can colonize the large intestine and produce botulinum toxin. This toxin interferes with the nervous system’s ability to communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness. If not treated promptly, the condition can progress to respiratory failure and may be fatal.