Results filed under: “honey”

Today is the first installment of Answer the Suze, where I spend a few minutes to answer a completely random question from the ever-inquisitive Suze.

Today the Suze asks: "Why do honey jars have a disclaimer that reads, 'Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age?'"

Thanks for asking, the Suze!  The problem is botulinum endospores, which occur naturally in honey.  While the acidic digestive juices of a more fully developed stomach are capable of destroying the spores, infants have not yet developed this acidity.  Additionally, infants do not yet have sufficient numbers of micro-organisms in their intestines that would also normally destroy the spores.  Thus, the spores are left with a warm, anaerobic environment in which to germinate.

The result of this germination inside the intestines is botulin, a very powerful toxin.  The toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings, which is necessary for proper nerve function.  The result:  respiratory and muscular paralysis.  Approximately 75 infants every year develop botulism, although very few are actually from ingestion of honey.

But be careful, the Suze, because it isn't just honey that can lead to infant botulism: any sweetener given to baby can be the cause.  So just use this simple memory device:

Over one, sweeteners are fun!
Under one, baby will get botulism and die.