FDA Still Has Not Found the Cause of Baby Botulism Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration has posted an underwhelming epilogue to a devastating baby botulism outbreak. The outbreak has sickened 48 infants across 17 states. All of them were hospitalized. Some are still recovering from the life-threatening infection. The FDA has linked the contamination to Clostridium botulinum in ByHeart's formula. The bacteria produce a neurotoxin that causes flaccid paralysis in babies. The FDA's investigation has traced the bacteria to powdered whole milk. Dairy Farmers of America dried the milk at a Nevada facility. The liquid milk came from Organic West in California. Organic West then sold the powder to ByHeart. Despite this tracking, the FDA has not figured out how the bacteria got into the formula. The agency says the investigation is ongoing. Three companies have been pointing fingers at each other. ByHeart has pointed out that the FDA did not identify any deficiencies in its facilities. Dairy Farmers of America has blamed Organic West, saying its processing met all required tests. Organic West has stressed that nothing has been proven about its milk. Bill Marler, a lawyer representing 25 families, has called the FDA's conclusion underwhelming. He has argued that ByHeart is responsible because its name is on the can. ByHeart has said it is working to resume production. The company has also teamed up with a lab to come up with more sensitive testing for C. botulinum. The FDA has not yet provided clear guidance to prevent another outbreak.