Does Honey Contain Botulism?
Honey may contain botulism spores which can lead to botulism poisoning. There are some areas of the country (United States) where the possible contamination of honey with botulism spores is higher due to the soil. Soil contains botulism spores/bacteria and the flora that bees use to feed on grows in that soil. Also, disturbed soil containing the spores may directly settle upon hives for example - and thus the spores themselves could contaminate the honey as well. Honey is mostly consumed in raw form and is typically not pasteurized, sterilized or radiated. Even pasteurized honey can contain botulism spores and should be not be given to children under the age of 12 months. (
http://www.eatwelleatsafe.ca/pathogens/botulism.htm)
In adults, the amount of botulism spores ingested (if any) from honey is really quite negligible. The intestines of an adult contain enough acids to counteract the production of toxins the botulism bacteria produce. Once an infant reaches the age of 1yr or older, their intestines have a balance of acids that help destroy and fight off any toxins that the botulism bacteria produce.