9. Raw Honey (for Infants)
Raw honey is a natural sweetener filled with antioxidants, but it can be dangerous — particularly for infants under 1 year old. It can contain Clostridium botulinum spores, which cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness that affects the nervous system.
Infant botulism can lead to muscle weakness, poor feeding, constipation, and even respiratory failure. While adults and older children have mature digestive systems that can handle the spores, infants do not.
This is why pediatricians strongly advise against giving honey to babies. Even a small spoonful added to baby food or pacifiers has caused severe complications. The condition requires hospitalization and, in some cases, assisted breathing.
For adults, raw honey is generally safe — and even beneficial. But when it comes to infants, it’s one of the few natural foods that pose a real danger. Always check labels and never give any form of honey to a child under 12 months.
