Why you should not give honey to your child

When I inform parents that it is forbidden to give honey to their child, I often discern a sense of doubt. They think that it is a healthy food and they wonder why they are not allowed to add honey in a fruit-cream, for instance. The first thing that crosses their minds is that perhaps it is not recommended because of its sweet taste. In fact, honey may contain Clostridium Botulinum seeds, bacteria that infects the gastrointestinal system and can cause a disease called botulism.

Botulism and how it affects infants

Botulism is a paralytic disease caused by the effects of a neurotoxin produced after the colonization of the above bacteria in the intestine of the infant.  These toxins affect the nervous and muscular function. For an infant they can affect its ability to move, swallow or even breathe. The disease is rare, but it can affect an infant. Furthermore, it is curable but due to the intensity of its symptoms it can lead even to death before it could be treated. In the U.S.A less than 100 cases per year are reported.  In adults and children older than 12 months, the risk does not exist, since the gastrointestinal system is more mature and prevents the growth and activity of these bacteria.

Can infants consume ready meals containing honey?

Bacteria causing botulism are destroyed only at high temperatures. Therefore, foods that are simply preserved, are not considered safe for consumption by infants under one year.

Advice

The nutritional information and recommendations on infant-toddler diet are indicative and refer to general guidance for this age group. Time that every child can be introduced to solid foods or add more to it’s diet, must be individualized. We recommend to set advise from your pediatrician about the specific nutritional needs of your child.