US Newspaper Says Honey May Be Harmful to Infants

Giving Young Infants Honey Can be Harmful to Their Systems
By Ruth Spencer, Detroit News (USA), 1/30/2006

You may have wondered why there's a warning for parents on jars of honey. Honey contains bacterial spores that adults and older children can handle, but babies' digestive systems are much more sensitive. A baby younger than 1 year could contract infantile botulism. It's very rare, but potentially fatal. Symptoms include muscle weakness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and constipation. Heating honey or using it in a recipe does not diminish the potential danger. That's why honey packaging warns parents to wait until a baby gets older to give them the sweet stuff.

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