JoNel Aleccia
@jnaleccia.bsky.social
Health reporter covering food and nutrition at The Associated Press. Also: mom, Gaga, fan of cats and caffeine.
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
Have a kitty. This sweet girl is Elsa. She’s available for adoption in Minnesota through Pause for Paws. You can learn more about her here: www.petfinder.com/cat/elsa-41a...
February 11, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Have a kitty. This sweet girl is Elsa. She’s available for adoption in Minnesota through Pause for Paws. You can learn more about her here: www.petfinder.com/cat/elsa-41a...
The Jarratt, Virginia, Boar's Head plant tied to a deadly food-poisoning outbreak in 2024 has reopened, even as new inspection reports document sanitation issues at another site.
apnews.com/article/boar...
apnews.com/article/boar...
Boar's Head reopens Virginia deli meat plant tied to deadly listeria outbreak
Company and federal officials said the Boar's Head deli meat plant tied to a deadly 2024 listeria food poisoning outbreak is back in business.
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The Jarratt, Virginia, Boar's Head plant tied to a deadly food-poisoning outbreak in 2024 has reopened, even as new inspection reports document sanitation issues at another site.
apnews.com/article/boar...
apnews.com/article/boar...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
This detailed timeline shows how South Carolina’s measles outbreak smoldered for months before it surged to 789 cases this week. It began with just 5 known cases. www.healthbeat.org/2026/01/27/s... #publichealth #medsky #idsky #pediatrics #childhealth #vaccines
Here’s how 5 measles cases grew to 789 in South Carolina
The South Carolina measles outbreak is far from over. With Tuesday's update, it has surpassed the number of cases in last year’s deadly outbreak in Texas. Here's how it happened.
www.healthbeat.org
January 28, 2026 at 12:11 PM
This detailed timeline shows how South Carolina’s measles outbreak smoldered for months before it surged to 789 cases this week. It began with just 5 known cases. www.healthbeat.org/2026/01/27/s... #publichealth #medsky #idsky #pediatrics #childhealth #vaccines
Organic whole milk powder that tested positive for the type of bacteria that causes botulism was made from milk provided by Organic West Milk Inc., a California company, and processed at a Dairy Farmers of America plant in Fallon, Nevada, company officials said.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Two companies supplied dried milk powder linked to botulism in ByHeart baby formula
Two suppliers provided dried milk powder that could be linked to the outbreak of botulism in ByHeart formula that has sickened dozens of babies.
apnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Organic whole milk powder that tested positive for the type of bacteria that causes botulism was made from milk provided by Organic West Milk Inc., a California company, and processed at a Dairy Farmers of America plant in Fallon, Nevada, company officials said.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
The family of Ashaan Carter has launched a GoFund me page to help with expenses as he recovers:
gofund.me/f9037566d
gofund.me/f9037566d
January 27, 2026 at 5:44 PM
The family of Ashaan Carter has launched a GoFund me page to help with expenses as he recovers:
gofund.me/f9037566d
gofund.me/f9037566d
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
My @propublica.org colleagues traveled to South Sudan and Kenya to report first-hand on the damage being done by the gutting of USAID. They'll be answering questions about their investigation in a reddit AMA on Thursday👇👇
Secretary Marco Rubio claimed no one died as a result of cuts to USAID. That’s not what we found.
On Thurs., Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. ET, we’ll be on Reddit taking your questions about the continued fallout of slashing aid for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
📌 Save the date:
On Thurs., Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. ET, we’ll be on Reddit taking your questions about the continued fallout of slashing aid for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
📌 Save the date:
January 21, 2026 at 2:21 AM
A baby in Portland contracted infant botulism after drinking ByHeart formula donated to nonprofits that serve poor and homeless families. The company had donated nearly 24,000 cans of formula to such groups since 2022.
lnkd.in/g8KpyHy5
apnews.com/article/infa...
lnkd.in/g8KpyHy5
apnews.com/article/infa...
Oregon baby is still battling infant botulism after ByHeart formula exposure
A Portland, Oregon, baby got sick with infant botulism after drinking contaminated ByHeart formula donated through a program that helps poor and homeless families.
apnews.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:26 PM
A baby in Portland contracted infant botulism after drinking ByHeart formula donated to nonprofits that serve poor and homeless families. The company had donated nearly 24,000 cans of formula to such groups since 2022.
lnkd.in/g8KpyHy5
apnews.com/article/infa...
lnkd.in/g8KpyHy5
apnews.com/article/infa...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
This study is like the Schrodinger's Cat of vaccine research. The Africa CDC says it's been canceled. HHS says it's not.
Controversial CDC Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau May Be Canceled
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Controversial CDC Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau May Be Canceled
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Controversial CDC Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau May Be Canceled
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 15, 2026 at 10:42 PM
This study is like the Schrodinger's Cat of vaccine research. The Africa CDC says it's been canceled. HHS says it's not.
Controversial CDC Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau May Be Canceled
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Controversial CDC Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau May Be Canceled
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
apnews.com/article/snap...
apnews.com/article/snap...
SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new limits starting Thursday on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits.
apnews.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
apnews.com/article/snap...
apnews.com/article/snap...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
Expectant mothers were left so hungry after the U.S. cut foreign food aid that one woman ate clay and charcoal.
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
What I Saw at a Maternity Ward in Kenya After the U.S. Cut Off Food and Foreign Aid
Photographs tell a story of two mothers determined to help their babies gain enough weight to leave the hospital — only to face little to no food again.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Expectant mothers were left so hungry after the U.S. cut foreign food aid that one woman ate clay and charcoal.
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
The outbreak now includes at least 51 infants in 19 states. The new case definition includes “any infant with botulism who was exposed to ByHeart formula at any time since the product’s release,” according to the CDC.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Botulism outbreak sickens more than 50 babies and expands to all ByHeart products
Federal health officials have expanded an outbreak of infant botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula to include any illnesses reported since the company began production in 2022.
apnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The outbreak now includes at least 51 infants in 19 states. The new case definition includes “any infant with botulism who was exposed to ByHeart formula at any time since the product’s release,” according to the CDC.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
The development and use of BabyBIG, the sole treatment for infant botulism, is "almost like a miracle," a doc who treats these babies told me.
apnews.com/article/infa...
apnews.com/article/infa...
How a rare drug made from scientists' blood saves babies from botulism
An infant botulism outbreak has sickened at least 39 babies across the U.S. and underscored the crucial role of a medication that treats the rare disease.
apnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The development and use of BabyBIG, the sole treatment for infant botulism, is "almost like a miracle," a doc who treats these babies told me.
apnews.com/article/infa...
apnews.com/article/infa...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
Only 347 of the nation’s roughly 14,500 nursing homes have specialized units dedicated to people on ventilators, forcing people with ALS or MS to move far from families. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
They Need a Ventilator To Stay Alive. Getting One Can Be a Nightmare. - KFF Health News
Few nursing homes are set up to care for people needing help breathing with a ventilator because of ALS or other infirmities. Insurers often resist paying for ventilators at home, and innovative progr...
kffhealthnews.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Only 347 of the nation’s roughly 14,500 nursing homes have specialized units dedicated to people on ventilators, forcing people with ALS or MS to move far from families. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Third-party lab testing showed 5 of 36 samples from three lots of ByHeart formula were positive for botulism bacteria, the company said.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
ByHeart baby formula from all lots may be contaminated with botulism bacteria, tests show
The makers of ByHeart infant formula say tests of products tied to a botulism outbreak show that all of the company's products may have been contaminated.
apnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Third-party lab testing showed 5 of 36 samples from three lots of ByHeart formula were positive for botulism bacteria, the company said.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
There is a post circulating on Bluesky encouraging the moving of a frozen turkey straight into a pot of hot oil. We are combating this misinformation the best way we know how - through the power of dance music.
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
There is a post circulating on Bluesky encouraging the moving of a frozen turkey straight into a pot of hot oil. We are combating this misinformation the best way we know how - through the power of dance music.
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
Top official at Association of Food and Drug Officials described what he says was FDA’s delayed, limited and disjointed sharing of critical information needed by state food safety officials about what stores received infant formula linked to botulism outbreak. www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/22/b...
FDA delays left recalled baby formula on store shelves, food safety expert says
The leader of the Association of Food and Drug Officials told Healthbeat that the FDA has been slow to share distribution lists for recalled ByHeart formula. “I’m not sure they recognize the sense of ...
www.healthbeat.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Top official at Association of Food and Drug Officials described what he says was FDA’s delayed, limited and disjointed sharing of critical information needed by state food safety officials about what stores received infant formula linked to botulism outbreak. www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/22/b...
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Babies who drank ByHeart formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
At least five families say their babies were treated for infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula months before a current outbreak was detected.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
FDA delays left recalled ByHeart baby formula on store shelves, food safety expert tells Healthbeat. Nearly a week was lost clearing bureaucratic hurdles before all state and local food safety officials were told where formula was being sold. www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/22/b... #IDsky #Medsky
FDA delays left recalled baby formula on store shelves, food safety expert says
The leader of the Association of Food and Drug Officials told Healthbeat that the FDA has been slow to share distribution lists for recalled ByHeart formula. “I’m not sure they recognize the sense of ...
www.healthbeat.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:12 AM
FDA delays left recalled ByHeart baby formula on store shelves, food safety expert tells Healthbeat. Nearly a week was lost clearing bureaucratic hurdles before all state and local food safety officials were told where formula was being sold. www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/22/b... #IDsky #Medsky
At least 31 babies have been sickened in 15 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Lab tests find contamination in ByHeart formula as botulism cases rise. Here's what to know
The makers of ByHeart baby formula said laboratory tests confirmed that some samples were contaminated with the type of bacteria has sickened more than 30 babies in a growing infant botulism outbreak.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 AM
At least 31 babies have been sickened in 15 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
ByHeart formula might still be on store shelves and in parents' pantries, more than a week after the nationwide recall.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
As infant botulism cases climb to 31, recalled ByHeart baby formula is still on some store shelves
Health officials say at least 31 babies in 15 states have been treated for botulism as an outbreak tied to ByHeart formula continues to grow.
apnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:12 PM
ByHeart formula might still be on store shelves and in parents' pantries, more than a week after the nationwide recall.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
Leaving aside the issue that people buying insurance would buy it from insurance companies. This sounds like an effort to let people bypass the ACA. Healthy people could buy cheaper insurance that doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, sending the ACA into a premium death spiral.
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Leaving aside the issue that people buying insurance would buy it from insurance companies. This sounds like an effort to let people bypass the ACA. Healthy people could buy cheaper insurance that doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, sending the ACA into a premium death spiral.
Both families said they bought the organic formula to provide what they viewed as a natural, healthier alternative to traditional baby formulas, and that they were shocked and angered by the suffering their children endured.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Families of two babies sickened by infantile botulism sue ByHeart over recalled formula
The parents of two babies who were sickened in an infantile botulism outbreak linked to recalled ByHeart infant formula are suing the company.
apnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Both families said they bought the organic formula to provide what they viewed as a natural, healthier alternative to traditional baby formulas, and that they were shocked and angered by the suffering their children endured.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Significant update in the expanding outbreak of infant botulism.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
ByHeart recalls all baby formula sold nationwide as infant botulism outbreak grows
Baby formula manufacturer ByHeart recalled all of its products sold nationwide Tuesday. The move comes days after some batches were recalled amid an expanding outbreak of infant botulism.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Significant update in the expanding outbreak of infant botulism.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Update about the outbreak that has sickened 13 babies in 10 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula
California health officials say tests show that ByHeart baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin that has sickened at least 13 infants in 10 st...
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Update about the outbreak that has sickened 13 babies in 10 states.
apnews.com/article/byhe...
apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by JoNel Aleccia
There are two different KFF numbers about the ACA out there. Both are accurate, but mean different things.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
There are two different KFF numbers about the ACA out there. Both are accurate, but mean different things.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.