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Can babies eat honey?

Honey and healthReviewed 2026-08-02

Short answerFalseEstablished evidence

No. Honey must not be given to infants under twelve months old, in any form. It can contain dormant Clostridium botulinum spores, which an adult's gut flora suppresses and an infant's immature gut sometimes does not. This applies to raw and pasteurised honey equally, and to honey cooked into food — the spores survive heat. After the first birthday, honey is fine.

Where the belief comes from

The uncertainty, where there is any, comes from honey's reputation as a natural and traditional first food and from the assumption that pasteurisation or cooking would deal with any risk. Neither is true for bacterial spores, which is exactly why the advice is unconditional.

Why

Clostridium botulinum spores are widespread in soil and dust and find their way into honey. Swallowed by an older child or an adult, they pass through without incident because established gut flora outcompete them. An infant's gut is not yet colonised in the same way, and the spores can germinate, establish and produce botulinum toxin inside the intestine. It is rare and it is serious — infant botulism causes weakness, poor feeding, constipation and floppiness, and requires hospital treatment.

What the advice covers

  • All honey — raw, pasteurised, filtered, creamed, comb, any floral source, any country.
  • Honey cooked into food. Baking does not reach the temperatures needed to destroy the spores.
  • Honey on a dummy or teat, which has been a route in reported cases.
  • Products containing honey, including some cereals, cough preparations and confectionery. Check the label.

The claims behind this answer

Established evidence

Supported by systematic reviews, meta-analyses or clinical/regulatory guidance. The claim would survive a careful reader checking it.

Established evidence

Honey must not be given to infants under twelve months.

Consistent guidance from national food safety and public health agencies, based on documented cases of infant botulism linked to honey.

What this does not claim: This is specific to infants under one year. It says nothing about honey's safety for older children or adults, whose gut flora prevents spore germination.

  • Public health guidance on infant botulism and honey — National food safety and public health agencies (UK, US, EU, Australia/NZ) · Regulatory guidance

Sources

  • Public health guidance on infant botulism and honey — National food safety and public health agencies (UK, US, EU, Australia/NZ) · Regulatory guidance

How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.

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