Why does it say do not feed to infants on the honey jar?

Answer 1

Honey should not be fed to infants younger than 1 year old. Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. However, they can also contaminate certain foods - honey in particular. Infant botulism occurs in children 6 months of age or younger and can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and an overall decreased muscle tone (floppiness). Parents can reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey into their child's diet until after the first birthday.

Answer 2

Infants younger than 12 months are at risk of infant botulism from eating honey. Infant botulism is a rare but serious form of food poisoning.

Honey is a known source of bacterial spores that produce Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These bacteria are typically harmless to older children and adults. But when ingested by an infant, these bacteria make a toxin that can cause infant botulism. It's unclear why this occurs in infants and not in older children or adults.

Infant botulism affects a baby's nervous system and can result in death. Signs and symptoms of infant botulism include:

* Persistent constipation
* Floppy arms, legs and neck
* Weak cry due to muscle weakness
* Weak sucking and poor feeding
* Tired all the time (lethargy)

Botulism spores may also be found in undercooked food, corn syrup and even maple syrup. For this reason, feeding an infant any of these foods is risky as well.

Answer 3

Pediatric Warning: Honey and Children Under Two

Children under the age of one (to be really safe probably two years old) should not ingest honey. Honey contains clostridium botulinum spores. In the human with a mature immune system, the spores will not germinate in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the immature immune system of the infant, the spores can germinate and cause botulism, a descending flaccid paralysis caused by the neurotoxin of clostridia botulinum. It also does not matter if the honey is pasteurized, since the typical pasteurization temperature is not high to kill the spores.

Answer 4

Honey= Poison t a infant

Answer 5

Giving honey to a child under 12 months is a no-no. This is because it can cause botulsim. This is SERIOUS. I know a little girl who almost died of infant botulism. Their little bodies just can't fight off the bacteria. PLEASE don't give honey to a child under 12 months!

Answer 6

Because they could get botulism which is really bad. Honey has a bacteria in it and we have built up immunities and can fight it but anyone under 1 cannot. Botulism is also caused by canned foods with dent if the dent caused a small tear in the can.

Answer 7

Babies under 12 months should NEVER be fed honey as it has botulism in it. This is potentially dangeous to little ones. Hold off on the honey till your baby is 12 months or older.

Answer 8

Honey contains bacteria that babies cannot handle. It can make them mildly ill to critically sick in a hurry. Also, honey is so thick it could be possible for an infant to choke while trying to swallow it.

Answer 9

Botulism is not uncommon in honey. For most people, it's not enough to affect them, but could be fatal for infants.

Answer 10

Honey can contain botulism spores. Not enough to make a child or adult sick, but too risky for baby.

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/question/medical/honey_botulism.html