This, from the US National Honey Board:

o Infant botulism is a serious disease that may strike some infants
under one year of age. After ingestion, C. botulinum spores can
germinate and grow in the lower bowel of some very young infants.

o Newborn babies have no intestinal microflora and thus apparently are
susceptible to C. botulinum infection until their intestinal
microflora develop (during the first few months after birth).

o Healthy children and adults with normal intestinal microflora are
resistant to intestinal botulism and are able to ingest botulinum
spores without harm.

o C. botulinum spores are widely distributed in nature. They can be
found in soil, in dust, in the air, in raw agricultural products and
in finished low acid food products which are not properly processed.

o C. botulinum spores have been detected in corn syrup, honey, fresh
and processed meats, fruits and vegetables.

www.nhb.org

* * *

According to Health Canada, only 7 cases of infant botulism have been
seen in Canada since 1979. In three of the seven cases the child had
been given honey. In the USA there are about 70 to 90 cases of infant
botulism yearly (not necessarily all due to honey).

Why is honey a source of botulism? It is not very well understood
because we know that most honey produced in North America is *not*
contaminated with the botulism bacteria. Experts think that the honey
gets contaminated by the spores from the dirt.

How can infantile botulism be prevented? Although infant botulism is
very rare, it is better to be safe and not take chances. For this
reason, parents and caretakers should not give honey to babies less
than one year of age. Also honey should never be added to baby food
nor placed on a baby's pacifier.

[we used to do this all the time !]

On a final note, light or dark corn syrup is often used to help babies
with constipation. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that due
to the potential theoretical risk of botulinum contamination babies
should also not be given corn syrup that has not been
pasteurized(sterilized) or declared "botulism spore free".

www.drpaul.com/index.html

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************