The following article is used with the written permission of the author, Gillian Willis, pharmacist and toxicologist.

Raw honey may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores. In California, 13% of over 60 samples of raw honey contained C. botulinum spores. This may cause infant botulism.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that infants less than 6 months of age not be fed honey (raw or pasteurized). The Honey Industry Council extended the limit to 12 months of age.

The Sue Bee company states that their pasteutized honey is heated to 160°F.

Clostridium botulinum SPORES are nontoxic and pressure cooking at 240°F. will destroy the spores.

The TOXINS produced by Clostridium botulinum spores are anaerobic (survive in an air-free environment). The toxins are destroyed by boiling food for a minimum of 6 minutes (10 minutes is recommended).

The pH range that allows for growth of C. botulinum is between 4.7 and 8.5. Honey does allow for the growth of C. botulinum toxins.

Pasteurization heat (<100°C) will kill the spores in high acid foods (pH <4.6). Low acid foods (pH >4.7) require pressure cooking sterilization (canning) to destroy the spores.

In summary, Clostridium botulinum spores are destroyed by pressure canning and C.botulinus toxin is destroyed by boiling food for 10 minutes at sea level. Raw honey should not be fed to birds or to infants less than 12 months of age. Pasteurized honey is probably safe for birds and is safe for children over 12 months of age.

Gillian Willis
Vancouver, BC