美國食品藥物管理局（FDA)上周五16日發出聲明提醒，一歲以下嬰兒絕對不可食用蜂蜜或含有其成分的製品，以避免嬰兒肉毒桿菌中毒發生的風險，嚴重恐危害性命。
美國德州從8月中起到10月底陸續傳出四起嬰兒誤食蜂蜜而肉毒桿菌中毒事件，起因源自於一款於材質中填充蜂蜜的安撫奶嘴，這款奶嘴在墨西哥很常見，在美國特定的線上零售店也購買的到。
製造商於奶嘴內填充蜂蜜（或楓糖、玉米糖將之類的甜味物質）的目的不是讓嬰兒食用，只是為了維持奶嘴的柔軟度，以及增加其韌性和彈性，但當奶嘴有稍許破洞時，蜂蜜（或其內容物）容易從縫隙流出，嬰兒透過吸允動作而誤食。
肉毒桿菌（Clostridium botulinum）以孢子形態存在我們生活的週遭環境，其毒素導致中毒稱之肉毒桿菌中毒（botulism）。食品在製作過程中可能遭受污染，例如蜂蜜偶亦含此孢子，一歲以下之嬰兒，因免疫系統尚未健全，且腸道菌叢亦未發展完全，若不慎食入肉毒桿菌孢子，易在腸內增殖並產生毒素，造成肉毒桿菌中毒。
連結：Honey Pacifiers Suspected in Texas Infant Botulism Cases
The 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.
The FDA has received reports from the state of Texas that four infants have been hospitalized with botulism. All four infants had used pacifiers containing honey. These pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, but similar products also appear to be available in the U.S. through online retailers.
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.
Honey is a known source of Clostridium botulinum spores, which can multiply in a baby’s immature digestive system, and has previously been implicated in some cases of infant botulism. For this reason, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend not feeding honey to infants younger than 12 months.
The FDA is recommending 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.
小編評：小編從來都沒想過會有業者為了增加奶嘴的柔韌度添加蜂蜜…