Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Targeted in Botulism Suits (2)

Target Corp., Whole Foods Marketand Walmart Inc. will be added as defendants in lawsuits against baby formula maker ByHeart for selling a product potentially contaminated with spores that cause infant botulism.

Bill Marler, a prominent foodborne-illness attorney who is suing ByHeart on behalf of families whose babies were hospitalized with botulism, said Sunday he plans to add the grocery store chains to the lawsuits this week.

A container of ByHeart baby formula in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Photographer: Cheyanne Mumphrey/AP Photo

“ByHeart likely is insolvent and will likely go bankrupt – sooner or later,” Marler wrote in a blog post. “Retailers that sold infant formula will need to step up ...