The Health Secretariat of the Municipality of Concordia, through the Bromatology Directorate, in its role of protecting the population's health from potential foodborne diseases, advises the general public that to prevent infant botulism, children under one year of age must not consume honey, because it is one of the foods that presents a risk of being contaminated with spores of the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, which can colonize, germinate, multiply, and generate highly toxic substances (botulinum toxin) in the intestinal tract of babies under one year old.
This is due to the physiological absence of a sufficient level of gastric acidity and protective flora in the gastrointestinal tract of children in this age group.
Honey is safe for children over 1 year old and healthy adults, as their gastrointestinal conditions give them the ability to antagonize the development of Clostridium Botulinum spores and prevent the generation of its toxin.
To prevent the onset of the disease, it is advised:
Wash and cook all vegetables provided to children under 1 year of age properly.
Do not provide honey, or foods containing it, to children under 1 year of age.
Do not apply honey to pacifiers or bottle nipples.
Ensure that children do not put food that has been in contact with soil into their mouths.
Keep their hands properly sanitized.
This is due to the physiological absence of a sufficient level of gastric acidity and protective flora in the gastrointestinal tract of children in this age group.
Honey is safe for children over 1 year old and healthy adults, as their gastrointestinal conditions give them the ability to antagonize the development of Clostridium Botulinum spores and prevent the generation of its toxin.
To prevent the onset of the disease, it is advised:
Wash and cook all vegetables provided to children under 1 year of age properly.
Do not provide honey, or foods containing it, to children under 1 year of age.
Do not apply honey to pacifiers or bottle nipples.
Ensure that children do not put food that has been in contact with soil into their mouths.
Keep their hands properly sanitized.