>From: "Jeffrey R. Tooker" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Multiple recipients of list BEE-L <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 12:27:10 -0700
>Subject: botulism
>My wife wants to know is there any connection between botulism and honey?
It is always a good idea to ask your doctor.
HINT FOR THE HIVE 128
INFANT BOTULISM AND HONEY
Medical research has a few doctors to conclude that one cause of
so-called "crib death" or "sudden infant death syndrome" may in fact be
due to infant botulism (food poisoning). A number of public health
officials now believe there may be many unrecognized cases of this
disease each year, and honey has been implicated as a cause in a few
cases. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, but there have been no cases
found in children over 26 weeks old. The Infectious Disease Section and
Microbial Diseases Laboratory of the California Department of Health
have provided evidence that botulism spores in the infant intestinal
tract may produce the growing stage of the bacterium, Clostridium
botulinum. This in turn manufactures a highly toxic poison. So far this
research indicates no reason why the disease is produced only in infants under
seven months old.
Botulism spores are found everywhere in nature. They are not harmful
themselves, but in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions), the spores
germinate and the resultant bacteria produce the powerful poison. This is the
reason all canned vegetables are heated prior to packing.
Many raw agricultural crops, however, are never heated. And many foods,
even if heated or processed, once exposed to the air would be susceptible to
re-infestation by botulism spores. Cumulative research to date on infant
botulism therefore suggests that there is an unknown risk factor in feeding
any raw agricultural product, including honey, to infants under one year of
age.
Although honey has been blamed as a source of spores in a few infant
botulism cases, some medical officials are not totally convinced about its
role in the disease. Dr. Roger Feldman of the Federal Center for Disease
Control (CDC) has stated that the data are not yet strong enough for the CDC
to issue a warning about honey. But, he said, parents should be aware of the
findings so they can make their own decisions. There may be other foods
involved and honey may be no risk at all. We just don't know.
These research findings in no way alter many published results that honey
is a highly nutritious food source or that it is bactericidal. Only bacterial
spores which are highly resistant to environmental stress can exist in honey
and they themselves are not harmful. No other disease besides infant botulism
has been linked to honey. The risk of this disease appears to be extremely
small.
The individual beekeeper can do little except be prepared to responsibly
answer questions about infant botulism and honey. In all conscience he/she
probably should refrain from advocating the use of honey in the feeding of
infants less than one year old. This is something best left to the discretion
of the parents and pediatrician. If the beekeeper is a packer or dealer in
honey, he/she may profit by looking into the adequacy of his product liability
insurance.
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