Naomi Rahim / Getty Images
Infection with the bacteria Escherichia coli, which can be present in raw meat or milk, can lead to very serious consequences in children. Hence the strict regulations on consumption by health authorities.
Last December, two little girls, ages 18 months and 7 years, contracted the bacteria Escherichia coli (which can be present in meat and raw milk) after eating a piece of morbier, we learned in February. In the same month, the first could not eat and walk, the second was in an artificial coma, was intubated, and his life prognosis is threatened. When he woke up, his kidneys were failing and a transplant was being considered.
Despite these dangers, some parents do not know exactly at what age their young child can consume raw milk cheese, and may be tempted to give them a taste or even put a piece of camembert on the menu. However, 60% of infections in France are linked to the consumption of raw milk cheese, according to the National Agency for Food, Environment and Work Safety (ANSES). And the latter’s recommendations are strict: raw milk and raw milk cheeses are prohibited for children under 5 years old. The reason is simple. E. coli infection can have very serious consequences in young children.
Maximum risk in children
If the vast majority of bacterial strains are harmless, E. coli is also present in our digestive tract and helps to digest or prevent the maintenance of “bad” bacteria, some strains have acquired what scientists call virulence factors during evolution and have become pathogenic for humans. This refers to the so-called enterohemorrhagic (ECEH), which secrete Shiga toxins, which are responsible for severe infections through the consumption of meat or dairy products that are consumed undercooked or raw.
In the case of HUS, the child turns pale, suffocates, urinates little, then does not urinate at all and may undergo dialysis.
Professor Francois-Xavier Weil, Director of the Escherichia coli Reference Center at the Institut Pasteur
Most cases are curable, but the infection can sometimes lead to a severe form. “And the risk is greatest in children,” continues Professor François-Xavier Weil, microbiologist and director of the Pasteur Institute’s Escherichia coli Reference Center. They may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In 10% of cases, the poison spreads throughout the body and reaches the kidneys and brain. The child turns white, has shortness of breath, urinates less, then does not urinate at all and may undergo dialysis.
” data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js” >
On average, 150 serious cases of HUS occur in children under the age of 15 each year, reports Professor François-Xavier Weil. “30% of them will not have after-effects at the age of 20, the remaining 70% may be before kidney transplantation or on dialysis,” continues the specialist. Infection is fatal in 1% of cases.
No Camembert, Munster, Morbier…
In April 2022, ANSES established a precise list of the different types of cheese prohibited for young children. There we find Camembert, Crottin, Morbier, Reblochon, Saint-Nectaire, Munster and even Maroilles. They can only be used cooked (as in raclette) or pasteurized. Good to know. removing the cheese rind does not protect against bacteria.
However, young children can use hard cheeses such as Emmental, Comté, Parmesan, Gruyère, Abondance, Beaufort, etc. And Professor François-Xavier Weil concludes: maturing flora.
Source: Le Figaro
