Design Highlights
- Ashaan Carter, the Oregon infant, developed severe health issues, including muscle weakness and constipation, after consuming ByHeart formula contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.
- Despite initial treatment, Ashaan was readmitted to the hospital due to declining health and the need for a feeding tube.
- Infant botulism is rare but can lead to serious complications, requiring ongoing medical intervention and monitoring for affected infants like Ashaan.
- The ByHeart formula was recalled due to contamination risks, impacting many infants and raising public health concerns about food safety regulations.
- Ongoing investigations by the FDA and CDC aim to understand the contamination sources and improve safety measures for infant food products.
In a shocking turn of events, a 10-month-old boy from Portland named Ashaan Carter found himself fighting for his life, all thanks to a can of ByHeart infant formula. It’s a classic case of “what could possibly go wrong?” Well, as it turns out, quite a bit. Ashaan, who was handed the formula by an Oregon Department of Human Services caseworker in early November 2025, was simply trying to get by after his mother had to stop breastfeeding due to her dwindling milk supply.
A 10-month-old boy’s life hangs in the balance after consuming contaminated ByHeart infant formula.
What followed was nothing short of a nightmare. After consuming the formula, Ashaan experienced severe constipation and muscle weakness. He became limp—like a rag doll unable to hold his head up. The weight loss was alarming; he was literally withering away. Three months later, he still needs a feeding tube. Not exactly the happy baby life everyone hopes for. His mother must have been beside herself when she learned that the formula was linked to a presumed case of infant botulism, a serious illness caused by the nasty Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
This wasn’t just a one-off tragedy; no, there was a whole slew of cases. As of December 10, 2025, a staggering 51 infants across 19 states were hospitalized with suspected or confirmed botulism after consuming ByHeart formula. Talk about a national crisis. And here’s the kicker: all of those babies, including Ashaan, were hospitalized. Luckily, no deaths were reported. But still, every day is a struggle for these little ones.
Ashaan’s journey began with a hospitalization at Randall Children’s Hospital in November, where he received treatment with BabyBIG IV antibodies. Almost two weeks later, he was discharged but sadly readmitted in December due to a decline in health. The medical team had to replace his feeding tube due to sustained muscle weakness. The emotional toll on his family is unimaginable. Infant botulism occurs typically in fewer than 200 U.S. babies annually, making Ashaan’s case particularly concerning. Much like how families navigate major life events, Ashaan’s parents now face the ongoing challenge of managing their son’s complex medical needs and uncertain recovery timeline.
What’s more baffling is how this all happened in the first place. Nearly 24,000 cans of ByHeart formula were distributed since June 2022, with 400 cans going to the PDX Diaper Bank—a nonprofit aimed at helping low-income families.
And yet, all products were recalled back in March 2022 due to contamination risks. Seems like a colossal oversight, doesn’t it? As investigations continue, it feels like the FDA is playing a never-ending game of catch-up. The CDC even broadened their case definition to include all ByHeart exposures.
This isn’t just about Ashaan; it’s about accountability and ensuring no other infant has to face the same harrowing experience.
