In Canada, which food has been linked to infant botulism?

Prepare for the Certificate in Public Health Inspection exam. Utilize our flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ensure your success with our comprehensive resources!

Multiple Choice

In Canada, which food has been linked to infant botulism?

Infant botulism happens when Clostridium botulinum spores are swallowed and can grow in an infant’s immature gut, producing toxin. Certain foods can carry those spores, with honey being a well-known source. Because babies under one year haven’t yet developed a robust gut microbiome, the spores can germinate and produce toxin in the intestine, leading to symptoms such as constipation, poor feeding, and limp or "floppy" muscle tone. The other options—milk, rice cereal, and fruit juice—are not recognized sources of botulism spores and are generally considered safe for infants when prepared and aged appropriately. Therefore, honey is the food linked to infant botulism.

Infant botulism happens when Clostridium botulinum spores are swallowed and can grow in an infant’s immature gut, producing toxin. Certain foods can carry those spores, with honey being a well-known source. Because babies under one year haven’t yet developed a robust gut microbiome, the spores can germinate and produce toxin in the intestine, leading to symptoms such as constipation, poor feeding, and limp or "floppy" muscle tone. The other options—milk, rice cereal, and fruit juice—are not recognized sources of botulism spores and are generally considered safe for infants when prepared and aged appropriately. Therefore, honey is the food linked to infant botulism.

More practice questions