(WSVN) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a warning for parents and caregivers against the dangers posed by honey-filled pacifiers or pacifiers dipped in honey.
The FDA said four infants have been hospitalized with botulism. According to the Texas Department of State and Health Services, each child had a pacifier filled with honey that was bought in Mexico, though they note the same pacifiers are available in the U.S. as well.
#REMINDER ⚠️Do NOT give children 👶 less than 1 yr old #honey.
FDA has rec'd reports from the state of Texas @TexasDSHS – 4 infants have been hospitalized w/ #botulism. All 4 had used #pacifiers containing honey from Mexico & available thru US retailers. https://t.co/e9hj78bzgm pic.twitter.com/mvUicbGlJY— FDA FOOD (Ctr for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition) (@FDAfood) November 16, 2018
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.
The FDA says honey is a known source of one of the bacterias that causes botulism.
Infants are incredibly susceptible to the disease due to their undeveloped digestive systems. As a result, the FDA says parents and caregivers should not give honey or honey products to children younger than 12 months old.
According to the Texas Health Department, honey-filled pacifiers are not common in the United States, but they may be available in specialty stores or online.
Officials also recommend avoiding pacifiers filled with any other food substance.
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