(The Hill) — The Food and Drug Administration warned on Thursday that recalled baby formula products linked to cases of infant botulism are still available for purchase at stores in multiple states, as the number of confirmed cases of the illness has reached 31.
The FDA said it has received reports that the ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula is still stocked on shelves at multiple Walmart, Target and Kroger locations throughout the country. Reports indicate that the recalled baby formula is also being sold at one or more Sprouts Organic Market, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, and Star Market locations, the FDA said.
“All ByHeart infant formula products have been recalled, and these products should not be available for sale in stores or online,” the FDA said in its statement.
“FDA is working with state partners and retailers to ensure an effective recall and immediate removal of these products from store shelves across the country,” the statement said.
As of Wednesday, the outbreak includes 31 infants suspected or confirmed to have infant botulism, up from 23 cases in the previous update, last Friday. The latest update also confirms two additional states — Idaho and Maine — with reported cases. In total, 15 states have reported cases linked to the outbreak.
No deaths have been reported, but all 31 infants were hospitalized.
Baby formula manufacturer ByHeart recalled all of its products sold nationwide last week, shortly after some batches were recalled in an expanding outbreak of infant botulism. The FDA had informed the company of the outbreak.
The company conducted its own independent food safety testing and, on Wednesday, confirmed that some samples of its products are contaminated with the type of bacteria that causes infant botulism.
“We continue to urge parents and caregivers to stop using ByHeart formula immediately, monitor your child for symptoms of infant botulism, and seek medical care immediately if they develop symptoms,” the company said on its website.