Infant formula banned for contamination with bacterial toxin

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has banned an infant formula after it was found to be contaminated with a bacterial toxin. 

MFDA banned the import and sale of the US-made infant formula ‘ByHeart Whole Nutrition’ after it was found to be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces botulinum toxin, which can cause the rare but serious illness botulism. Botulism can lead to potentially life-threatening symptoms.

MFDA emphasized that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through the World Health Organization’s International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), has advised against selling the product and recommended its immediate removal from the market due to clostridium botulinum contamination.

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— MFDA (@MFDA_mv) November 24, 2025

As such, the authority said the import and sale of ‘ByHeart Whole Nutrition’ infant formula will be banned in the Maldives as a precautionary measure.

Details of the product

Product Name: ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, both 24 oz can (UPC: 5004496800)  and 0.60oz anywhere pack, 14 packets per package (UPC: 5006696802)

Brand: ByHeart

Manufacturer: ByHeart Inc

Batch: All batches