These babies are still sick after botulism outbreak. But how did it get into infant formula?

Angel Carter sets up a gastrostomy tube, or G-tube, to feed her 16-month-old son, Ashaan. The toddler is one of 48 babies sickened in a national botulism outbreak linked to infant formula. Celeste Noche for NBC NewsHealth newsThe ByHeart botulism outbreak is over. As the FDA searches for the cause, these babies are still sick. Months after ByHeart’s recall ended, how the bacteria got in the powdered infant formula remains unknown. A separate recall by Nara Organics is now under investigation. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 24, 2026, 5:15 AM EDTBy Erika EdwardsAngel Carter had breastfed her baby, Ashaan, exclusively from the day he was born. But last November, when Ashaan was 9 months old, it was time for Carter to transition her son to a sippy cup. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.An Oregon Department of Human Services caseworker suggested that Carter, a single mother receiving state assistance, try ByHeart infant formula because it was “the closest thing to breast milk,” Carter recalled. Within a week, baby Ashaan, an active, babbling little boy, had changed. He was no longer making eye contact, instead staring off into space for 30 minutes or longer. He stopped being interested in food and wouldn’t even latch on to nurse. Once able to stand and take steps, Ashaan no longer had the strength to sit upright. His skin became a sickly color. “He was turning grayish blue. He looked like a faded picture of himself,” Carter, of Portland, said. “His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, my baby is dying.’”Ashaan Carter's medical supplies. At 16 months old, Ashaan still can't eat on his own.Celeste Noche for NBC NewsAshaan Carter will need surgery in July to replace his G-tube to eat following a bout with infant botulism linked to formula.Celeste Noche for NBC NewsAshaan’s symptoms were classic signs of botulism. The...