Why Honey Should Not Be Fed to Infants
Infant botulism is a rare but serious form of food poisoning caused by toxins from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Children under twelve months may not have a strong enough immune system or sufficient stomach acid to fight off these bacterial spores.
Although honey naturally prevents the growth of many bacteria due to its low pH and moisture content, it may still contain Clostridium botulinum spores. If ingested by infants, these spores can become active and cause botulism. Botulinum spores can also be present in improperly prepared home preserves, canned goods, or on unwashed fruits and vegetables.
While the risk is very low, it is recommended that honey not be given to children under one year of age. This is why many honey labels include a warning regarding feeding honey to infants.
