From the Research
Honey rarely contains botulism spores, but the risk is significant enough to warrant caution, particularly in infants under 12 months of age, as studies have shown contamination rates ranging from 2-25% of commercial honey samples 1. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces these spores, which are generally harmless to adults and children over 12 months of age due to their mature digestive systems preventing the spores from germinating and producing toxins. However, infants under one year old have immature intestinal flora and higher stomach pH, creating conditions where these spores can grow and produce the botulinum toxin, potentially causing infant botulism. Some key points to consider include:
- The incidence of botulinum toxin intoxication induced by ubiquitous spore-forming Clostridium botulinum is < 0.01/100 000 EU citizens 2.
- Foodborne botulism is a pure intoxication syndrome due to improperly prepared or incorrectly stored food, while wound and infant botulism are kinds of "toxico-infections" 2.
- A "bulbar" neuroparalysis is a main symptom progressing to a flaccid tetraparesis up to respiratory paralysis, and infant botulism is presented non-specific and is treated only symptomatically; but a special human-derived antitoxin is available at international pharmacies 2.
- Reduced mortality is associated with any antitoxin treatment and antitoxin treatment within 48 hours of illness onset 3.
- The high prevalence of C. botulinum in soil and in samples associated with beeswax suggests the accumulation of soil-derived botulinal spores in wax, and production hygiene-dependent factors have a significant influence on the contamination 1. Therefore, honey should never be given to babies under 12 months of age, and once a child reaches one year of age, honey can typically be safely included in their diet as their digestive system has developed enough to handle any potential spores 4, 5.