Beijing, March 7th – Honey, often touted for its nutritional value and sweetness, is a common addition to water, especially for young children. The rationale? To make the water more appealing to babies. However, a recent report by China News Service (CNS) is urging parents to reconsider this practice, highlighting potential health risks for infants under one year old.
The CNS report, published on March 7th, points to the risk of honey being contaminated with Clostridium botulinum during processing. This bacterium produces spores that are highly resistant to heat, making them difficult to eliminate even with high-temperature treatment.
The danger lies in the underdeveloped gut flora of infants. Unlike older children and adults, babies under one year old lack the mature intestinal bacteria needed to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores. Consequently, if an infant ingests honey contaminated with these spores, they are susceptible to infant botulism, a potentially serious illness.
Infant botulism occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores germinate and produce botulinum toxin within the infant’s digestive system. This toxin can cause muscle weakness, constipation, poor feeding, lethargy, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.
While honey offers nutritional benefits, the risk of botulism contamination outweighs the advantages for infants. Health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, recommend avoiding honey for babies under one year of age.
This warning from CNS serves as a crucial reminder to parents to prioritize the safety and well-being of their infants. While honey may seem like a harmless and even beneficial addition to a baby’s diet, the potential risk of botulism is a serious concern that should not be ignored. Parents are encouraged to consult with pediatricians and other healthcare professionals for guidance on safe and appropriate feeding practices for their infants.
References:
- China News Service (CNS). (2025, March 7). 蜂蜜有营养又甜，加在水里可以让小宝宝更爱喝？丨中新真探 [Honey, Sweet and Nutritious? Why You Shouldn’t Add It to Your Baby’s Water]. Retrieved from [Insert Actual CNS Article Link Here]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Infant Botulism. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/infant-botulism.html
- World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Infant and young child feeding. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
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