Contaminated Baby Formula Leaves Portland Family in Crisis

Tue Jan 20 2026 02:11:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A 10-month-old in Portland falls seriously ill after consuming formula from a recall linked to infant botulism, highlighting risks faced by vulnerable families.

In a concerning case from Portland, Oregon, baby Ashaan Carter, just 10 months old, is battling infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula, donated via a program for low-income families. After receiving a can just days before the recall announcement, Ashaan's health quickly deteriorated, resulting in hospitalization and the need for a feeding tube. Over 50 babies across the U.S. have been affected by the contamination. Families depended on this product for nourishment, raising alarms about food safety in assistance programs. Legal actions are underway against ByHeart as many others face similar struggles.

A Portland, Oregon, boy is struggling to recover from infant botulism after drinking contaminated ByHeart baby formula donated through a program that aims to help poor and homeless families.

Ashaan Carter, now 10 months old, was hospitalized twice and remains on a feeding tube after contracting the dangerous infection that has sickened more than 50 babies across the U.S.

His mother, Angel Carter, said she received a can of ByHeart formula from a case worker with the Oregon Department of Human Services in early November, days before a nationwide recall of the product.

Carter, who receives state food and housing assistance, received the formula hoping to transition Ashaan to a bottle as her breast milk supply dwindled. I accepted it thinking, ‘OK, I can help my baby,’” said Carter.

Soon after using the ByHeart formula, Ashaan developed severe symptoms and was admitted to a hospital. He was diagnosed with presumed infant botulism linked to the formula and treated with a medication called BabyBIG.

Sadly, Ashaan was hospitalized multiple times and now faces a long recovery, relying on a feeding tube and having to relearn basic skills like crawling.

Families in need trusted this formula for nourishment, raising concerns about the safety protocols inside assistance programs. Over 30 families are suing ByHeart for damages, spotlighting the grave implications of the situation.