Following a global recall of infant formula products due to cereulide toxin contamination, EU officials are taking steps to prevent illnesses from cereulide-tainted formula in the future. Cases of mild illness associated with recalled product have been reported in Europe.
FDA has shared information about a contaminated ingredient—organic whole milk powder—in the multistate outbreak of infant botulism associated with ByHeart powdered infant formula.
Nestlé says that cereulide, the contaminant behind the recall, does not cause meningitis, the illness for which the infant was hospitalized. UK authorities say no cases of illness associated with Nestlé formula have been clinically confirmed.
An expert panel that was convened to support FDA’s “Operation Stork Speed” emphasizes the need for streamlined FDA approval processes for infant formulas, more transparent ingredient approval processes (i.e., GRAS, food additive petitions), and enforceable limits for environmental contaminants.
Florida unveiled the Healthy Florida First initiative, a MAHA-aligned product contaminant testing effort, alongside the initiative's first report focused on the presence of toxic heavy metals in infant formulas. Several products had elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
At the 55th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), prompted by the ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula in the U.S., CCFH decided to initiate work related to the control of Clostridium botulinum in powdered infant formula.
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, Chair of the HELP Committee, has written a letter to ByHeart Inc., the infant formula manufacturer linked to an ongoing botulism outbreak, demanding answers about the conditions that led to the sale of unsafe product.
In this year-end episode of Food Safety Matters, we round up the top stories of 2025, covering U.S. federal food safety policy changes under the Trump Administration, MAHA- and state-led moves against food additives of concern and ultra-processed foods, infant formula safety, science on Listeria and biofilms, ongoing monitoring of avian flu, and AI food safety applications.
Considering the infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, during which product was found on store shelves weeks after the recall was announced, FDA issued a letter to industry describing firms’ legal obligations in the case of a recall, as well as warning letters to four major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons).
As of December 10, a total of 51 infants are included in the ByHeart formula botulism outbreak. With an expanded case definition, CDC has identified cases that occurred as early as December 2023.
