Episode 233: Understanding Honey and Botulism with Dr. Joshua Jakum

In this episode of Two Bees in a Podcast, host Jamie welcomes Dr. Joshua Jakum, a pediatrician and Master Beekeeper, to discuss the critical but often overlooked connection between honey and infant botulism. Dr. Jakum explains that Clostridium botulinum spores—found in 4–10% of honey samples—can survive in honey's low-moisture, low-oxygen environment and pose a serious risk to infants under one year old, whose immature gut microbiomes lack the protective diversity to prevent bacterial growth and toxin production. He details the clinical signs of infant botulism, including constipation, floppiness, weak cry, and respiratory failure, emphasizing that the disease is rare but life-threatening, requiring prolonged hospitalization and treatment with a costly immunoglobulin therapy. Despite the alarming nature of the topic, Dr. Jakum stresses that honey is safe for children over one year old once their microbiome has matured. The episode also addresses common myths, debunking the idea that metal spoons destroy honey's enzymes and that heating honey produces carcinogenic compounds, noting that while some chemical changes occur, they are not significant at typical consumption levels. The conversation concludes with a call to action for beekeepers to educate consumers through clear labeling and responsible outreach. Key takeaways include: 1) Never feed honey to infants under 12 months due to botulism risk; 2) The infant gut microbiome is key to protection—mature by age one; 3) Honey is safe and beneficial for children over one year old; 4) Metal spoons do not significantly impact honey’s enzymes; 5) Heating honey produces HMF, but levels in normal cooking are not considered carcinogenic; 6) Queen cups are pre-existing structures where queens may lay eggs, but workers decide whether to raise a queen based on colony needs; 7) Labeling laws vary by state, but public education is essential; 8) Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery from infant botulism.