Honey pacifiers from Mexico have given botulism poisoning to four infants in Texas. Many people don’t know this, but honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and should never be fed to children under the age of one. The pacifiers are filled with or dipped in honey. These pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, but some similar products can be found in the U.S. through online retailers.
All four infants have been hospitalized. There is no word on their condition, or if they have recovered or have been released from the hospital.
The Clostridium botulinum spores can multiple in a baby’s immature and developing immune system. The FDA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not give honey to young children. The toxin is also made by Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii bacteria.
The symptoms of botulism poisoning in infants is different from botulism in adults. Babies typically experience constipation, accompanied by weakness, floppy movements, and difficulty feeding or suckling. Medical help is necessary immediately to prevent life-threatening complications.
You can contact food safety attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900 if you or a family member have been diagnosed with any type of food poisoning.
If you have purchased a pacifier filled with or dipped in honey, throw it away immediately in a sealed container. You can also return it to the store or merchant for a refund.
The FDA is also recommending that retailers do not sell honey filed pacifiers. Even a tiny taste of honey can cause serious illness in babies. Wild honey, especially, is a potential source of Clostridium botulinum spores.
Home canned foods can also be a source of botulism, especially when low acid foods are canned. Acid food conditions help prevent the growth of the Clostridium botulinum pathogen. And contaminated soil or dust in some states can contain high counts of botulinum spores. Those states are Pennsylvania, Utah, and California.
