WRITTEN QUESTION E-3344/02

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 November 2002)

Subject: Delay in publishing a compulsory warning about the possible development of infantile botulism in babies as a result of their being fed honey

1. Is the Commission aware that children aged under twelve months whose intestinal flora has not yet fully developed may, as a consequence of being fed honey, become infected with bacteria which cause botulism and that such infantile botulism may result in amyosthenia and paralysis or even death?

2. Is the Commission also aware that the third case in which, in the Netherlands, a connection was established between the death of a baby and consumption of honey in spring 2002 resulted in the Netherlands Food Inspection Office agreeing to introduce an obligation that a warning should be printed on the labels of jars containing honey that it should not be fed to babies aged under twelve months?

3. Can the Commission confirm the report published in the Dutch media that the introduction of a compulsory warning has been delayed because it is dependent on the Commission's approval and that, furthermore, the granting of such approval may not be expected in the near future?

4. What prevents Member States, in anticipation of measures to be taken at EU level, from themselves taking rapid measures immediately the risk becomes apparent in order to protect human life?

5. What can be done to speed up the current EU procedure for the introduction of an obligation to publish a warning on foodstuffs about circumstances in which consumption may be dangerous?

6. What does the Commission intend doing in this instance, and when? When will it be possible actually to introduce the compulsory warning that honey should not be fed to babies aged under twelve months?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2003)

1. The Commission is aware of the botulism risk associated with the consumption of honey as described by the Honourable Member. The Commission submitted a question to the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health on this issue in June 2001. The Committee adopted an opinion on 19/20 June 2002, where it confirmed that the only biological risk linked to the consumption of honey is botulism in young children.

However, the Committee noted that:

- the routes by which honey is contaminated are unknown,

- the environment (soil, dust) is thought to play a critical role as a source of infection for infants,

- in general, in Europe, the risk of infant botulism is extremely low,

- the level and frequency of contamination of honey with the bacteria is also low.

As a conclusion, the Committee did not consider that requesting microbiological testing or setting microbiological criteria would be effective control options against infant botulism, due to the sporadic occurrence of the disease and low levels of the bacteria in honey. The Committee recommended that effective and targeted information regarding the risks of infant botulism from the consumption of honey should be provided (via leaflets, labelling or advice to health care professionals).

2. The Commission has not received yet the results of the epidemiological investigation carried out by the Dutch authorities on the case the Honourable Member is referring to. However, on the basis of the information available to the Commission, 49 cases of infant botulism have been registered up to now since its first notification in 1978 in Europe. Of these cases, 30 had a history of having been fed honey, but only in eight cases was it confirmed that honey contained bacteria of the same type as isolated from affected infants.

3., 4., 5. and 6. Existing European legislation provides for the possibility that where no Community provisions exist Member States make provisions for the compulsory indication on labels of particulars other than those required by Article 3 of Directive 2000/13/EC(1). Should the national authorities of The Netherlands intend to resort to a specific labelling measure on the risk of infant botulism from honey, the procedure contemplated by Article 19 of Directive 2000/13 would have to be activated. This requires a notification to the Commission of the measures that are envisaged and the reasons that justify them so as to allow the Commission to consult the other Member States.

A preliminary discussion of the issue of infant botulism from honey already took place, in June 2002, in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH). The Dutch authorities took part in the debate and drew attention to the issue of infant botulism. However, to date they have not notified any proposed labelling measure. From unofficial information available to the Commission it would appear that, for the time being, the Dutch authorities intend to tackle the infant botulism risk by intensifying information to consumers and health care practitioners.

A further discussion is foreseen in the Committee, in order to take account of the Scientific Committee's advice, which was not available at the time of the June meeting. The Commission will consider the orientations of the SCFCAH and continue to follow all developments with the utmost attention, in keeping with its obligations and the commitment to ensure a high level of consumer protection.

(1) Directive 2000/13/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs, OJ L 109, 6.5.2000.