State's ID of botulism led to broader investigation

Health officials are warning parents to avoid an infant formula linked to a nationwide botulism outbreak.

- BY SUSANNE RUST

THE BYHEART facility in Reading, Pa. Thirteen babies developed botulism after consuming the formula.

(EUGENE GOLOGURSKY Getty Images for ByHeart)

As of Monday, 13 babies across 10 states — including one in Los Angeles County — have been sickened by the bacterial spore after consuming ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

The cases were first identified by the California Department of Public Health.

The state operates the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, the only manufacturer and provider of an FDA-approved antitoxin for infant botulism. Officials were tipped off to the outbreak when they noticed an increase in requests for Baby-BIG, the antitoxin, this August, according to Robert Barsanti, a health department spokesman.

The state alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and sparked a nationwide investigation, which is ongoing.

Health officials are asking major retail stores such as Amazon, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods to remove the product from their shelves. They are also asking parents and caregivers to check their infant formula and throw away any cans manufactured by ByHeart Inc.