Dried Milk Powder from Two Companies Tied to Botulism Cases in Baby Formula

Recent investigations have revealed that two companies processed and supplied dried milk powder potentially linked to a botulism outbreak associated with ByHeart infant formula. This alarming situation has resulted in dozens of babies falling ill, as reported by The Associated Press.

Organic whole milk powder, which has tested positive for the bacteria responsible for botulism, was produced from milk sourced from Organic West Milk Inc., a California-based company. This milk was then processed at a Dairy Farmers of America facility located in Fallon, Nevada, according to company officials.

Related: Oregon Baby Still Battling Botulism After ByHeart Formula Exposure

While the investigation is ongoing, the exact source of the contamination remains unknown. Both companies involved, along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have emphasized the need for continued scrutiny into this unprecedented outbreak, which has affected 51 infants across 19 states.

Bill Van Ryn, an owner of Organic West Milk, disclosed that he was informed last week that a sample of his company’s milk powder, collected by the FDA, tested positive for the botulism-causing germ. However, he was quick to clarify that this does not definitively indicate that his product is the source of the outbreak.

Related: Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Targeted in Botulism Suits

“Nothing has been proven about our milk yet,” Van Ryn stated, adding, “Something happened in the process of converting the milk to powder and then in converting it to baby formula.”

Organic West, which sources milk from 55 farmers, has ceased sales of the organic whole milk powder intended for any baby or child products until further clarity is achieved regarding the outbreak’s source.

The process of making powdered milk involves pasteurizing liquid milk, concentrating it through evaporation, and then spraying it into a hot chamber. This method causes the water to evaporate, leaving behind fine, dry milk particles.

Dairy Farmers of America, a global dairy cooperative, processes approximately 1.5 million pounds of raw milk daily into 250,000 pounds of whole milk powder at its Nevada facility. In a statement, the cooperative confirmed that Organic West was the source of the milk for the FDA sample that tested positive for botulism bacteria. They noted that the milk powder met all required tests before being sold to ByHeart.

“Manufacturers of end-use consumer products have a responsibility to properly process ingredients to ensure product safety,” the statement emphasized.

On January 23, FDA officials announced that a sample of organic whole milk powder from a supplier had tested positive for botulism bacteria. This sample was found to be a genetic match to a sample taken from a finished can of ByHeart formula. Additionally, the agency detected the bacteria in an unopened can of formula, which matched a sample from a sick baby, as well as in milk powder samples collected and tested by ByHeart.

ByHeart officials have not disclosed the source of the milk powder samples and have since recalled all their products.

Botulism spores are commonly found in the environment and can exist in various foods at low levels. Kristin Schill, a botulism expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, noted that healthy adults consume Clostridium botulinum spores daily without adverse effects. However, infants have immature digestive systems that may not effectively prevent the spores from germinating and producing toxins, which can lead to paralysis and even death.

While botulism spores can be present in milk, they are typically found at low levels, and pasteurization does not eliminate them. The processing environment can also harbor these spores.

This incident marks the first significant outbreak of botulism linked to infant formula, although spores have been detected in such products in the past. The risk has been deemed low enough that routine testing for botulism in infant formula is not mandated, although some manufacturers voluntarily screen for potential contamination.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Recent investigations have revealed that two companies processed and supplied dried milk powder potentially linked to a botulism outbreak associated with ByHeart infant formula. This alarming situation has resulted in dozens of babies falling ill, as reported by The Associated Press.

Organic whole milk powder, which has tested positive for the bacteria responsible for botulism, was produced from milk sourced from Organic West Milk Inc., a California-based company. This milk was then processed at a Dairy Farmers of America facility located in Fallon, Nevada, according to company officials.

Related: Oregon Baby Still Battling Botulism After ByHeart Formula Exposure

While the investigation is ongoing, the exact source of the contamination remains unknown. Both companies involved, along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have emphasized the need for continued scrutiny into this unprecedented outbreak, which has affected 51 infants across 19 states.

Bill Van Ryn, an owner of Organic West Milk, disclosed that he was informed last week that a sample of his company’s milk powder, collected by the FDA, tested positive for the botulism-causing germ. However, he was quick to clarify that this does not definitively indicate that his product is the source of the outbreak.

Related: Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Targeted in Botulism Suits

“Nothing has been proven about our milk yet,” Van Ryn stated, adding, “Something happened in the process of converting the milk to powder and then in converting it to baby formula.”

Organic West, which sources milk from 55 farmers, has ceased sales of the organic whole milk powder intended for any baby or child products until further clarity is achieved regarding the outbreak’s source.

The process of making powdered milk involves pasteurizing liquid milk, concentrating it through evaporation, and then spraying it into a hot chamber. This method causes the water to evaporate, leaving behind fine, dry milk particles.

Dairy Farmers of America, a global dairy cooperative, processes approximately 1.5 million pounds of raw milk daily into 250,000 pounds of whole milk powder at its Nevada facility. In a statement, the cooperative confirmed that Organic West was the source of the milk for the FDA sample that tested positive for botulism bacteria. They noted that the milk powder met all required tests before being sold to ByHeart.

“Manufacturers of end-use consumer products have a responsibility to properly process ingredients to ensure product safety,” the statement emphasized.

On January 23, FDA officials announced that a sample of organic whole milk powder from a supplier had tested positive for botulism bacteria. This sample was found to be a genetic match to a sample taken from a finished can of ByHeart formula. Additionally, the agency detected the bacteria in an unopened can of formula, which matched a sample from a sick baby, as well as in milk powder samples collected and tested by ByHeart.

ByHeart officials have not disclosed the source of the milk powder samples and have since recalled all their products.

Botulism spores are commonly found in the environment and can exist in various foods at low levels. Kristin Schill, a botulism expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, noted that healthy adults consume Clostridium botulinum spores daily without adverse effects. However, infants have immature digestive systems that may not effectively prevent the spores from germinating and producing toxins, which can lead to paralysis and even death.

While botulism spores can be present in milk, they are typically found at low levels, and pasteurization does not eliminate them. The processing environment can also harbor these spores.

This incident marks the first significant outbreak of botulism linked to infant formula, although spores have been detected in such products in the past. The risk has been deemed low enough that routine testing for botulism in infant formula is not mandated, although some manufacturers voluntarily screen for potential contamination.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics
Numbers