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Bobbie vs ByHeart — Which Should I Choose?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 4 min readNEW

TL;DR

Bobbie wins this matchup by default. In November 2025, ByHeart recalled every can of their formula following a massive infant botulism outbreak that hospitalized 51 babies. Bobbie remains one of the safest, cleanest premium formulas on the market.

🔑 Key Findings

1

ByHeart issued a nationwide recall in November 2025 after 51 infants were hospitalized with botulism.

2

Bobbie meets strict European standards for DHA with 20mg per 100 calories.

3

Both brands use 100% lactose and completely avoid corn syrup and palm oil.

4

Bobbie is USDA Organic, while ByHeart was only made with organic milk but lacked the full certification.

The Short Answer

Bobbie wins this matchup by default. In November 2025, ByHeart issued a nationwide recall of all their formula after an infant botulism outbreak hospitalized 51 babies across 19 states.

If you need a clean, premium, U.S.-made formula right now, Bobbie is the safest and best choice. It offers European-level DHA, USDA organic ingredients, and zero corn syrup—with a spotless safety record.

Why This Matters

Until late 2025, Bobbie and ByHeart were neck-and-neck as the best new disruptors in the American formula market. Both promised clean ingredients, no palm oil, and recipes far closer to breast milk than legacy brands. Closest To Breast Milk

Then, disaster struck. ByHeart is currently off the market and facing massive class-action lawsuits. The FDA found Clostridium botulinum in their formula, leading to a complete halt in production. Baby Formula Recalls

This leaves parents scrambling for a premium alternative. Bobbie steps perfectly into this gap. They recently launched a whole milk version that matches ByHeart's fat profile, while maintaining their rigorous safety testing and USDA Organic certification. Is Bobbie Good

What's Actually In These Formulas

Even though ByHeart is recalled, here is how their recipes historically compared:

  • Protein Ratio — Bobbie uses a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio matching mature breast milk. ByHeart used an 80:20 ratio mimicking early colostrum.
  • CarbohydratesBoth use 100% lactose. Neither brand uses cheap fillers like maltodextrin or corn syrup. Formula No Corn Syrup
  • Fats — Bobbie's original uses nonfat milk with plant oils, but their new version uses grass-fed whole milk. ByHeart also used whole milk. Neither uses constipation-causing palm oil. Palm Oil Baby Formula
  • DHA — Both use water-extracted algal DHA. This avoids the harsh chemical solvents used in most commercial formulas. Hexane Extracted Dha

What to Look For

Green Flags:

Red Flags:

  • Bacterial ContaminationThe 2025 ByHeart botulism outbreak is a stark reminder of why rigorous manufacturing and safety testing is non-negotiable.
  • Corn Syrup SolidsUsed by legacy brands as a cheap substitute for lactose, but thankfully avoided by both of these premium options.

The Best Options

Because of the massive botulism recall, ByHeart is no longer a safe or viable option. Here is how the current landscape looks. Safest Formula Brands

BrandProductVerdictWhy
BobbieOrganic Infant FormulaUSDA Organic, European-style DHA, spotless safety record.
BobbieOrganic Whole MilkAdds whole milk fat for brain development and easier digestion.
ByHeartWhole Nutrition Formula🚫RECALLED NATIONWIDE due to a deadly botulism outbreak.

The Bottom Line

1. Throw away ByHeart immediately. — All cans and stick packs are under a nationwide recall for deadly botulism contamination.

2. Switch to Bobbie. — It is the closest, safest premium alternative currently available on the US market. Is Bobbie Good

3. Monitor for symptoms. — If your baby consumed ByHeart, watch for constipation, weak cry, or lethargy, and contact your pediatrician immediately.

FAQ

Why was ByHeart recalled?

In November 2025, ByHeart recalled all formula products after 51 infants were hospitalized with infant botulism. The FDA found Clostridium botulinum bacteria in their manufacturing process. Baby Formula Recalls

Is Bobbie formula safe?

Yes. Bobbie has never been recalled and undergoes more than 2,000 quality checks per batch. It holds the Clean Label Project Purity Award for avoiding heavy metals. Is Bobbie Good

What is the closest alternative to ByHeart?

Bobbie Organic Whole Milk is the closest 1:1 replacement. It uses grass-fed whole milk, zero palm oil, and 100% lactose, just like ByHeart did. Closest To Breast Milk

Is ByHeart FDA approved?

It was registered with the FDA, but it is currently under a massive federal investigation. The FDA has recalled all of their products from store shelves. Is Formula Fda Regulated


References (15)
  1. 1. fda.gov
  2. 2. aboutlawsuits.com
  3. 3. healthbeat.org
  4. 4. pregnantchicken.com
  5. 5. milk-drunk.com
  6. 6. nh.gov
  7. 7. time.com
  8. 8. fda.gov
  9. 9. pickyeaterblog.com
  10. 10. classaction.org
  11. 11. byheart.com
  12. 12. pregnantchicken.com
  13. 13. prnewswire.com
  14. 14. marianos.com
  15. 15. byheart.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

Organic Infant Formula

Bobbie

USDA Organic, European-level DHA, and a spotless safety record.

Recommended
🚫
Whole Nutrition Infant Formula

ByHeart

Currently recalled nationwide due to deadly botulism contamination.

Avoid

Kendamil Organic Infant Formula

Kendamil

This British import uses **whole milk fats** from grass-fed cows instead of the skim milk found in most US formulas. It is sweetened entirely with **lactose** (no corn syrup) and is completely free of palm oil and soy oil, relying instead on coconut and rapeseed oils for healthy fats.

Recommended

Nara Organics Whole Milk Infant Formula

Nara Organics

Nara is the first US-made formula to use **organic whole milk** without adding skim milk, delivering a fatty acid profile closer to breast milk. It holds the **Clean Label Project Purity Award** and strictly avoids palm oil, soy, and corn syrup, using 100% lactose as the carbohydrate.

Recommended
Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula

Aussie Bubs

An excellent option for sensitive stomachs, this formula uses **A2 goat milk protein**, which forms a softer curd in the gut than cow's milk. It is one of the few formulas to receive the **Clean Label Project Purity Award** and uses a clean oil blend with no palm oil or maltodextrin.

Recommended
👌

Kirkland Signature ProCare (Costco)

Kirkland Signature

The best budget-friendly option on the market, offering a **non-GMO, lactose-based recipe** with no corn syrup solids. Unlike many other store brands, it explicitly **excludes palm olein oil**, which supports better calcium absorption and softer stools.

Acceptable
👌

Pepticate

Nutricia

For babies with diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), this is a superior alternative to Nutramigen. It is an **extensively hydrolyzed whey formula** that still uses **lactose** for improved taste and carbohydrate quality, rather than relying solely on corn syrup solids.

Acceptable
👌
Kabrita Goat Milk Infant Formula

Kabrita

Recently receiving permanent FDA authorization, Kabrita combines **gentle goat milk protein** with a fat blend that mimics breast milk's structure. While it contains a structurally modified palm oil (OPO) to improve digestion, it remains a nutrient-dense, **Glyphosate Residue Free** certified option.

Acceptable
🚫
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive

Similac

Despite the 'sensitive' label, the very first ingredient is **corn syrup**, replacing the lactose your baby needs for development. It also contains **soy oil** and, in the liquid version, **carrageenan**, an additive linked to intestinal inflammation.

Avoid
🚫

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease

Enfamil

This formula relies heavily on **corn syrup solids** as a primary carbohydrate source instead of lactose. It also uses **palm olein oil** in its fat blend, which clinical studies have linked to the formation of calcium soaps in the gut, causing harder stools and constipation.

Avoid
⚠️

Gerber Good Start SoothePro

Gerber

Marketed for colic relief, this formula's first ingredient is **corn maltodextrin**, a highly processed carbohydrate filler. While the hydrolyzed whey protein is gentle, the carbohydrate source causes rapid blood sugar spikes compared to lactose.

Use Caution
🚫

Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)

Parent's Choice

A budget generic that cuts costs by using **corn syrup** as the primary ingredient and **palm olein oil** for fat. Historical testing of generic store brands has also shown inconsistent results for heavy metal contamination compared to premium organic options.

Avoid
🚫

Similac Soy Isomil

Similac

Soy formulas contain high levels of **phytoestrogens**, which can disrupt early hormonal development. This product also uses **corn syrup solids** (39%) and **sucrose** (table sugar) as carbohydrate sources, making it one of the sweetest formulas available.

Avoid
⚠️

Enfamil Enspire Optimum

Enfamil

Despite being one of the most expensive formulas on the shelf, it still relies on **palm olein oil** and **soy oil**. While it adds lactoferrin for immune support, the foundational ingredients do not justify the premium price tag compared to cleaner European-style options.

Use Caution

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