Parents of two infants who fell ill with infantile botulism are suing the manufacturer of ByHeart baby formula, amid a nationwide recall. The babies' conditions worsened rapidly after consuming the formula, leading to lengthy hospitalizations.
Rose Dexter, 4 months old, and Piper Everett, also 4 months old, were among at least 15 infants in a dozen states who contracted the rare disease. Rose's parents had bought ByHeart as an organic alternative to traditional baby formulas, unaware of the potential risk.
The lawsuits claim that ByHeart formula was defective and that the company was negligent in selling it. The families seek financial payment for medical bills, emotional distress, and other harm.
Both infants received treatment with BabyBIG medication, which is typically used for botulism cases in children under a year old. Doctors immediately ordered doses of the medication after Piper showed signs of illness.
The babies' conditions have improved since receiving treatment, but their parents are still grappling with the trauma and concern that their children endured. ByHeart officials said they would address any legal claims in due course.
An investigation into the recall is ongoing, with federal health officials confirming that a sample from an open can of ByHeart formula contained bacteria that can lead to illness. The company sells about 1% of the baby formula purchased in the US, and there is no risk of a formula shortage due to the recall, according to the FDA commissioner.
The families' experiences highlight concerns over food safety and the need for stricter regulations on organic products.
Rose Dexter, 4 months old, and Piper Everett, also 4 months old, were among at least 15 infants in a dozen states who contracted the rare disease. Rose's parents had bought ByHeart as an organic alternative to traditional baby formulas, unaware of the potential risk.
The lawsuits claim that ByHeart formula was defective and that the company was negligent in selling it. The families seek financial payment for medical bills, emotional distress, and other harm.
Both infants received treatment with BabyBIG medication, which is typically used for botulism cases in children under a year old. Doctors immediately ordered doses of the medication after Piper showed signs of illness.
The babies' conditions have improved since receiving treatment, but their parents are still grappling with the trauma and concern that their children endured. ByHeart officials said they would address any legal claims in due course.
An investigation into the recall is ongoing, with federal health officials confirming that a sample from an open can of ByHeart formula contained bacteria that can lead to illness. The company sells about 1% of the baby formula purchased in the US, and there is no risk of a formula shortage due to the recall, according to the FDA commissioner.
The families' experiences highlight concerns over food safety and the need for stricter regulations on organic products.
this whole thing just gives me the shivers... think about those poor babies, suffering from something they shouldn't've been exposed to in the first place... ByHeart's supposed to be an organic alternative, but it sounds like that meant "we'll make a shortcut and hope no one notices" 
. I'm all for holding companies accountable for their products, but these parents are going through hell... can't imagine what it'd be like to see your little one in the hospital, fighting for their life... 
You can't trust someone who doesn't trust himself 
! I mean I get why they're suing ByHeart, those babies were literally poisoned by their formula 
. It's just not good enough, you know?
. Like, what even is the point of having a "organic" label if it can still put people's lives at risk? 
. But for all the other parents out there, let this be a lesson to always double-check the safety of any product before giving it to your little ones 
this ByHeart scandal is just so messed up... parents are already dealing with enough stress of raising tiny humans, now they have to worry about their own baby formula being recalled? It's like, can't we just get one thing right for once? 
. I think stricter regulations on organic products would be a good idea, especially when it comes to infant formulas. You can't put a price on the safety and health of a newborn 
.
. theres no excuse for this kinda thing happenin. these families are goin thru hell, and now they gotta fight the company in court. its just not right 
this is so disturbing... these poor babies were just 4 months old & they're still dealing with the trauma... 
I'm no fan of recalls but at least ByHeart is taking responsibility now 
I don't think it's fair that these parents have to go through all this stress & worry... their babies should've been safe, shouldn't need medication just because they bought a different formula 
organic doesn't always mean safer, you know? 
we need more research & testing on baby products, like food & medicine too 
They bought it thinking it was organic and safe, but now they're stuck with a lawsuit that's gonna be more expensive than the formula itself! 
. This is a huge wake-up call for food safety and regulations, especially when it comes to organic products 
.
. They shouldn't have to suffer through the trauma of having their babies sick because some company cut corners on quality control 
.
and now they're gonna have to live with the consequences? it's not like the company intentionally tried to harm anyone 
. anyway, it's all about accountability, right? 
. If anything, this whole incident shows how flawed our system is when it comes to regulating food products. I'm not blaming the parents or the kids, though - those are just innocent victims in all this 
. But also, we need some serious reforms on our food safety regulations ASAP 
. This can't keep happening...
