Food poisoning from E.coli bacteria: cheese, minced steak, honey… what foods should be avoided in children ?

Il est fortement déconseillé de donner certains aliments aux enfants de mois de 5 ans. ILLUSTRATION FLICKR

The hospitalization of two little girls in the Rhône following their contamination with the E.coli bacteria caused by cheese revives the debate on dietary diversification among young children. 

Two girls, aged 18 months and 7 years, are still hospitalized in the Rhône after consuming morbier contaminated with E.coli bacteria. 

As a reminder, this bacteria is present in the digestive tract of many ruminant animals (cows, calves, goats, sheep, etc.) and can contaminate their meat or milk, thus causing hemolytic-uremic syndrome (SHU), to which vulnerable populations, including children, are particularly sensitive.

Each year, around 160 cases of HUS are recorded in France, mainly due to poorly cooked meat or unpasteurized dairy products, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.

This recent health accident, which is reminiscent of the Buitoni frozen pizza scandal in March 2022, which caused the death of two children under 7 years old, relaunches the debate on dietary diversification in children. What foods should we therefore avoid giving to children, to protect them from this bacteria?

Raw milk cheeses

First of all, raw milk, cheeses made from raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk should be avoided for children under 5 years old,  indicates the website of the Ministry of Health. 

In its recommendations, Anses even advises avoiding these foods before the age of 10 and specifies that, contrary to popular belief, Removing the rind from raw milk cheese is not enough to protect against bacteria. Reblochon, Brie, certain Camemberts, Morbier or Mont d’or should therefore be avoided.

Among the authorized cheeses, we find those "with cooked pressed cheese", such as l& rsquo;Emmental, Comté, Abundance, Beaufort, Gruyère or "processed spreadable cheeses and pasteurized milk cheeses". 

Raw or pink meat

Another food to be avoided before the age of 10: raw meat such as steak tartare or cold cuts. Meats, and especially ground beef, but also preparations based on ground meat must be cooked thoroughly, indicates the Ministry of Health.

Overall, "all raw products remain dangerous for children", specifies to TF1 info  Florence Pujol, dietitian nutritionist and eating behavior specialist. She cites seafood, sushi, and even egg yolk in chocolate mousse. 

Authorities also advise not giving children raw or undercooked flour-based preparations, such as pizza, cake or pie dough.

Honey and plant products

To avoid the risk of infant botulism, ANSES also indicates that it is absolutely not recommended to give honey, whatever its origin, to children under one year of age.

Affecting the nervous system, this disease is in fact caused by the spores of a bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) contained in dust and in certain soils. Transported by bees, the spores can then be found in honey.

Florence Pujol also recommends avoiding radishes and beans which are "earthy products that we must have difficult to wash completely" and to favor pasteurized fruit juices. 

The importance of hygiene

Finally, it should be remembered that hygiene is essential in the kitchen. This is why you must wash all fruits or vegetables before consumption.

Cooking utensils must also be washed well, as well as work surfaces, especially when they have been in contact with raw food.

The Ministry of Health insists on "hand washing", which "must be systematic before preparing meals" and food preservation, with raw products "kept separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods".