At what age is it safe to introduce honey to a child's diet?

Introducing honey to a child's diet is recommended after the age of 1 year. This is primarily due to the risk of botulism, a type of food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can be present in honey. Infants under 12 months of age have immature digestive systems that are more susceptible to these bacteria, which can lead to serious illness.

Once a child reaches the age of 1 year, their digestive system has typically matured enough to safely handle potential spores without risk. Therefore, waiting until the child is at least 1 year old before introducing honey is essential for their safety and health.