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The FDA issued the warning after receiving reports of four hospitalized infants with botulism in Texas.
(IStock)
Parents, be warned: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that caregivers not give honey to babies under one year of age, four babies in Texas having recently been hospitalized after using pacifiers containing the sweet substance.
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The government agency issued this warning Friday after receiving "reports from the state of Texas that four infants were hospitalized for botulism," which is a "rare but serious" condition that can result in death in some cases.
The honey lollipops used were purchased in Mexico, although similar products are available from online retailers in the United States, the federal agency said.
Botulism is "caused by a toxin that attacks the nerves of the body and causes breathing difficulties, muscle paralysis and even death," according to the FDA. The toxin is usually produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
"Honey is a known source of Clostridium botulinum spores, which can multiply in the immature digestive system of a baby and has already been implicated in some cases of infant botulism," explained the FDA online.
The FDA has stated that all parents who have purchased a honey pacifier – either soaked in the substance or filled with it – should "stop using it and dispose of it immediately".
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"The FDA is advising online retailers to stop selling lollipops filled with honey," he added.
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