FDA Reminds Parents Not to Feed Honey to Children Younger Than 1 Year
Honey Pacifiers Suspected in Texas Infant Botulism Cases – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding parents and caregivers not to give honey to infants or children younger than one year of age. This includes pacifiers filled with or dipped in honey.
La FDA recuerda a los padres que no deben alimentar a los niños menores de 1 año con miel: se sospecha que chupones con miel sean causa de casos de botulismo infantil en Texas – En Espanol.
This warning was prompted following reports that four infants in the state of Texas were hospitalized with botulism. According to the FDA all four infants had used pacifiers containing honey. Although these pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, similar products appear to be available in the U.S. through online retailers.
About Botulism
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. This toxin is made by Clostridium botulinum, and sometimes Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii bacteria reported the FDA.
The Honey and Clostridium Botulinum Spore Connection
Honey is a well known source of Clostridium botulinum spores, which can multiply in a baby’s immature digestive system, and has previously been implicated in cases of infant botulism. For this reason, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend not feeding honey to infants younger than 12 months.
FDA Advice To Parents and Caregivers
The FDA recommends that parents and caregivers do not give pacifiers filled with or dipped in honey to their infants or young children. If you have previously purchased a pacifier filled with or dipped in honey, you should stop using it and discard it immediately.
The FDA also recommends that online retailers discontinue sales of honey filled pacifiers.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Help
The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting vicitms of food poisoning outbreaks, including those injured by botulism. We are ready to help you too. In you would like information regarding a food poisoning lawsuit, please contact our law firm toll free at 877-934-6274. To learn about our additional legal services, please see C Diff Lawsuit and Medication Errors.
