A 10-month-old boy from Portland, Oregon, is undergoing treatment for infant botulism, a rare but serious illness, following exposure to contaminated baby formula distributed under a charitable program aimed at supporting impoverished and homeless families.
Ashaan Carter, who contracted the infection after his mother received ByHeart formula from an Oregon Department of Human Services caseworker, has required hospitalization on two occasions and remains dependent on a feeding tube. More than 50 infants nationally have been affected by similar cases linked to this product.
Ashaan's mother, Angel Carter, had been breastfeeding exclusively but was facing a decline in milk production. In early November, days before a nationwide recall of ByHeart formula, an Oregon DHS caseworker provided her with a can of the formula, assuring her it most closely resembled breast milk and could support Ashaan's nutritional needs. Carter, who benefits from state assistance for food and housing, accepted the donation in hopes that her son could transition to bottle feeding.
Shortly after beginning the formula, Ashaan suffered severe constipation and muscle weakness, which progressed to such an extent that he was unable to move his head. Following an emergency room visit, he was referred to Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, where doctors identified symptoms consistent with infant botulism and linked the condition to the ByHeart formula.
Medical intervention included treatment with BabyBIG, an intravenous antitoxin that halts disease progression by providing necessary antibodies. Ashaan was hospitalized for nearly two weeks in November and discharged without a feeding tube. However, his condition deteriorated quickly, leading to significant weight loss and a second hospitalization in December. His mother described the situation as life-threatening, with Ashaan's muscular strength remaining compromised.
After the product recall, Carter was alerted by her caseworker to discontinue use of the formula, but this came after the infant had already been exposed. Ashaan now requires replacement of his feeding tube due to ongoing muscle weakness and must relearn basic skills such as crawling and speech.
Dr. Sylvia Peterson-Perry, the family medicine physician who delivered Ashaan and continues to provide care for him and his mother, underscored the tragedy of such outcomes for vulnerable families who rely on social programs for safe nutrition. She emphasized the devastation when trust is placed in products intended to nourish infants, only to find them contaminated.
ByHeart had been distributing formula through its OpenHearted Initiative since June 2022, partnering with nearly two dozen nonprofit organizations across the U.S., including PDX Diaper Bank in Portland, which supplies aid to at-risk families. Approximately 24,000 cans have been donated nationally to support homeless and economically disadvantaged households.
PDX Diaper Bank stated that it received about 400 cans of the ByHeart formula through collaboration with Baby2Baby, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization supporting families in need. More than 300 cans were distributed before the recall was issued, with immediate efforts made to notify families of the health risks once the recall was announced. Baby2Baby and ByHeart have maintained communication to remove impacted products and alert recipients.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported no new infant botulism cases associated with the outbreak beyond December 17. Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conducted inspections of ByHeart’s manufacturing facilities, but has not publicly identified the contamination source. Production at ByHeart remains halted.
Legal action is underway as well. Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney specializing in food safety, represents over 30 families impacted by illness connected to ByHeart formula. At least 18 lawsuits have been filed against ByHeart and retailers in federal court, with motions submitted to consolidate cases under a single district court in New York.
The ongoing situation highlights significant concerns about safety oversight in infant nutrition products, particularly when distributed through social service channels to populations with critical needs. Regulatory scrutiny, manufacturer accountability, and legal ramifications are active components of the evolving response to this public health issue.