ByHeart Inc. tested its products and found C. botulinum Type A in five of 36 samples across three lots. As of November 26, the outbreak includes 37 cases of infant botulism spanning 17 states. FDA has published inspection documents for ByHeart production facilities confirming a history of food safety issues.
Although the official number of infant botulism cases included in the ByHeart infant formula outbreak remains at 31, the unusual spike in infant botulism treatments recorded by the California Department of Public Health has grown to more than 100, and several babies with exposure to ByHeart formula were treated for botulism as early as November 2024, months ahead of the spike in illnesses.
A multistate salmonellosis outbreak linked to eggs produced by California-based Country Eggs LLC has ended with 105 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and no deaths reported.
An ongoing project funded by the Center for Produce Safety is investigating ways to increase the antimicrobial activity of food-grade waxes, which are commonly applied to fruit and vegetables to extend shelf life.
As of November 19, the number of infant botulism cases linked to consumption of ByHeart formula has grown to 31 across 15 states. ByHeart's testing of its own product has confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum.
The Spanish Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Murcia (Fecoam) points to recent RASFF food safety notifications about U.S. nuts demonstrating dangerous levels of aflatoxin contamination—with almonds exceeding EU maximum levels by three times in one instance—and calls for stricter import controls.
A laboratory study has provided new insights into the efficacy of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and chlorine dioxide against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and norovirus in wash water during potato processing, and investigated cross-contamination risks in batch washing and water reuse scenarios.
This episode of Food Safety Five discusses research on Listeria biofilms, including sanitizer efficacy and evolutionary insights, and on a persisting Escherichia coli strain in leafy greens. It also covers regulatory developments in the UK, Canada, and the UAE, as well as a potential U.S. ultra-processed foods (UPFs) definition.
FDA recently released a warning letter dated September 5, 2025, issued to Fresh and Ready Foods LLC, a ready-to-eat (RTE) foods producer that was implicated in a multi-state, multi-year listeriosis outbreak.
Clostridium botulinum-contaminatedByHeart-brand formula has sickened at least 23 babies across 13 states. FDA inspection reports and warning letters have come to light showing a history of food safety and hygiene violations at the company’s production facilities.