The Municipality of Concordia, through the Directorate of Bromatology, reminds the community of the importance of not providing honey to children under one year of age, a fundamental measure to prevent infant botulism, a rare but potentially serious disease.
Honey may contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum . In babies under one year of age, whose gastrointestinal system does not yet have the level of acidity or the intestinal flora necessary to prevent the development of these spores, the bacterium can colonize the intestine, multiply, and produce the botulinum toxin, which is responsible for the disease.
In contrast, honey is safe for children over one year of age and for healthy adults, as their gastrointestinal conditions allow for the inhibition of the bacterium's growth and prevent the production of the toxin.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Do not provide honey, or foods containing it, to children under one year of age.
Do not put honey on pacifiers or bottle nipples.
Properly wash and cook vegetables intended for the diet of children under one year of age.
Prevent children from putting food or objects that have been in contact with soil into their mouths.
Maintain proper hand hygiene.
Honey may contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum . In babies under one year of age, whose gastrointestinal system does not yet have the level of acidity or the intestinal flora necessary to prevent the development of these spores, the bacterium can colonize the intestine, multiply, and produce the botulinum toxin, which is responsible for the disease.
In contrast, honey is safe for children over one year of age and for healthy adults, as their gastrointestinal conditions allow for the inhibition of the bacterium's growth and prevent the production of the toxin.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Do not provide honey, or foods containing it, to children under one year of age.
Do not put honey on pacifiers or bottle nipples.
Properly wash and cook vegetables intended for the diet of children under one year of age.
Prevent children from putting food or objects that have been in contact with soil into their mouths.
Maintain proper hand hygiene.