Walking through the quiet hallways of BC Women’s Hospital last week, I couldn’t help but notice the heightened concern among new parents clutching their infants a little tighter than usual. The whispered conversations about formula safety followed me from the neonatal unit to the family resource center.
“I switched brands three times in the past month,” confided Mei Lin, gently rocking her six-week-old daughter. “Every time I open social media, there’s another recall. I’m exhausted from the worry.”
What’s triggering this anxiety is the recent ByHeart infant formula recall that’s sent ripples through parenting communities across North America. On October 3, the company recalled specific batches of its infant formula after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported potential contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can cause rare but serious infections, including botulism in infants.
This latest recall affects approximately 42,000 units of ByHeart formula sold directly to consumers and through select retailers nationwide. The company initiated the voluntary recall after routine testing detected the potential contamination.
For Shannon Greenberg, a Vancouver-based pediatric nurse I spoke with, the timing couldn’t be worse. “We’re already seeing parents struggling with feeding decisions. Formula is expensive, and many families can’t afford to throw out product they’ve purchased, even when they’re concerned about safety.”
The recall specifically targets ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula with iron powder, 24oz container, with lot codes beginning with 22CPHB1, 22CPHB2, 22CPHB3, and 22CPHB4. The affected products have a use-by date of October 11, 2024, prominently displayed on the bottom of each container.
Health Canada has confirmed that some affected products were distributed in Canadian markets, though in smaller quantities than in the United States.
What makes Cronobacter particularly concerning is how it affects infants differently than adults. While most healthy adults might experience mild digestive upset from exposure, the bacterium can cause devastating infections in babies under six months, whose immune systems aren’t fully developed.
Dr. Michelle Carter, infectious disease specialist at BC Children’s Hospital, explained the risks to me during a brief interview. “Cronobacter can cause meningitis, blood infections, and intestinal damage in infants. The symptoms parents should watch for include irritability, poor feeding, temperature changes—either fever or abnormally low body temperature—jaundice, and grunting breaths or unusual movements.”
The most vulnerable are premature infants, those younger than two months, and babies with compromised immune systems. What many parents don’t realize is that powdered formula—unlike the ready-to-feed liquid variety—is not sterile, which makes proper preparation critically important.
When I visited the Burnaby Public Health Unit, nutritionist Elena Kaminski demonstrated the recommended preparation method: washing hands thoroughly, sterilizing all equipment, using water that’s been boiled and then cooled to no less than 70°C (158°F), and promptly refrigerating any unused formula.
“These steps significantly reduce the risk of bacterial growth,” Kaminski emphasized while measuring powder with meticulous care. “Never use a microwave to warm formula, as it can create hot spots that burn the baby but don’t kill all bacteria.”
This isn’t the first major formula recall to hit North American markets. In February 2022, Abbott Nutrition recalled Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas following bacterial infections in four infants, including two who died. That recall contributed to a nationwide formula shortage in the U.S. that affected Canadian markets as well.
The current situation hasn’t reached crisis levels, but it has renewed discussions about formula production safety standards and Canada’s preparedness for potential shortages.
“We need to be having serious conversations about food security for infants,” said Dr. Catherine Marshall, a policy advisor with the Canadian Paediatric Society. “Currently, just three companies manufacture the majority of formula sold in Canada. That concentration creates vulnerability in our supply chain.”
For indigenous and remote communities, these vulnerabilities are even more pronounced. When I traveled to northern British Columbia last summer, I met Jessica Williams, a maternal health advocate from the Carrier Sekani Family Services, who described the challenges facing mothers in remote areas.
“When there’s a recall or shortage, our communities feel it first and worst,” Williams told me. “Many families must travel hours to reach stores that might not even have alternatives in stock. And the cost of specialty formulas can be prohibitive, especially with the high food prices in northern communities.”
Back in Vancouver, the First Nations Health Authority has been working to provide emergency supplies of formula to affected communities and offering guidance on safe feeding alternatives when necessary.
For parents concerned about the current recall, Health Canada recommends checking any ByHeart formula against the affected lot codes and discontinuing use immediately if there’s a match. Parents can contact ByHeart directly for refunds and replacement products.
Dr. Carter also emphasized that parents should never dilute formula to make it last longer or attempt to make homemade formula, both of which can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and health risks for infants.
As formula recalls become seemingly more frequent, many parents are left wondering about alternatives. While breastfeeding is often suggested, it’s not always possible or practical for every family.
“We need to support families with whatever feeding method works for them,” said Greenberg. “That means ensuring access to safe formula, donor milk when appropriate, and lactation support for those who choose to breastfeed.”
For now, Canadian health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with no reported cases of illness connected to the current recall in Canada. However, vigilance remains essential, as symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear after exposure.
As I left the hospital that afternoon, I watched Mei Lin carefully pack her daughter’s diaper bag, double-checking the formula container inside. The weight of that simple act—ensuring something as basic as safe food for her child—shouldn’t feel so heavy for any parent.
