There has been much in the press lately about Clostridium botulinum
spores remaining viable in honey and causing botulism in children of
less than 1 year old. As this organism is fairly widespread in the
soil and could be in much higher levels in wastewater this could
prove a risk.
The majority of bacteria present in wastewater would tend to be
vegetative forms of E.coli, Salmonella etc and these should not survive
in honey due to its natural antiseptic properties and dehydrating
effect.The risk from these therefore is minimal.
It is the spore formers like Clostridia and Bacillus species that
would give more cause for concern. AFB spores cetainly remain viable
in honey and this feature is used in some countries to monitor the
disease.
M.S.Bain
Lacon Villa
Nook Lane
Weston under Redcastle
Shrewsbury SY4 5LP
England
Tel +44(0)1948 841249