Is it okay to eat raw unpasteurized honey?

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants under one year of age are at risk of a serious, potentially fatal illness called infant botulism from consuming honey, whether it is raw or pasteurized. For healthy adults and older children, however, the answer to the question, "is it okay to eat raw unpasteurized honey?" is significantly different.

Quick Summary

An exploration of the safety of consuming raw unpasteurized honey, addressing the main risk of botulism for infants, comparing it with pasteurized versions, and detailing potential benefits for adults and older children.

Key Points

Infants Must Avoid All Honey: Babies under one year old should never be given any honey (raw or pasteurized) due to the serious risk of infant botulism.
Raw Honey is Safe for Healthy Adults: For healthy individuals over one year, raw unpasteurized honey is safe and offers more antioxidants, pollen, and enzymes than regular honey.
Botulism Spores are Heat-Resistant: Pasteurization does not eliminate botulism spores, so heat-treated honey is still unsafe for infants.
Raw vs. Regular Honey Differences: Raw honey is minimally processed and retains more nutrients, while regular honey is heated and filtered for a clearer appearance and longer shelf life.
Know Your Honey Source: To ensure quality and purity, purchase raw honey from reputable sources and be aware that products labeled 'pure' may still be processed.
Enjoy in Moderation: While raw honey has potential benefits, it is still a sugar and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

The Core Difference: Raw vs. Pasteurized Honey

Raw, unpasteurized honey is honey as it exists straight from the beehive, with minimal processing. It is gently strained to remove impurities like beeswax and bee parts, but it is not heated to high temperatures (pasteurized) or heavily filtered. This minimal processing is what preserves the natural enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants that many consumers seek out for perceived health benefits. By contrast, pasteurized honey is heated to high temperatures. This process kills yeast, slows crystallization, and gives it a smoother, clearer appearance, which many consumers prefer. However, this heat can also destroy beneficial compounds like enzymes and antioxidants.

The Botulism Risk: The Most Critical Safety Concern

The single most important risk associated with honey consumption is infant botulism, and this applies to both raw and pasteurized varieties. Honey can contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can produce a harmful toxin. An infant's digestive system is not mature enough to stop these spores from growing and producing the toxin, leading to a serious illness that affects the nervous system. Adults and older children, however, have developed intestinal flora that can prevent the spores from germinating. This is why public health organizations strongly recommend against giving honey to children under 12 months old under any circumstance.

Potential Benefits of Consuming Raw Unpasteurized Honey for Adults

For healthy individuals over one year of age, eating raw unpasteurized honey can offer several advantages over its processed counterpart. Because it is not heated, raw honey retains its natural nutritional profile more effectively. These potential benefits include:

Richer in antioxidants: Raw honey contains higher levels of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help fight cell damage.
Presence of bee pollen and propolis: These natural components, often filtered out of regular honey, contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties: Honey's natural composition, including the enzyme glucose oxidase, gives it properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Soothing effect: Raw honey is often used as a natural remedy to soothe a sore throat or cough.
Digestive health support: Some believe it can help with digestive issues and promote healthy gut bacteria due to its prebiotic properties.

Comparison Table: Raw Unpasteurized Honey vs. Regular Honey


Feature	Raw Unpasteurized Honey	Regular (Pasteurized) Honey
Processing	Minimally filtered to remove debris; not heated.	Heated to high temperatures and ultra-filtered.
Appearance	Cloudy, opaque, or creamy due to pollen and enzymes.	Clear, smooth, and transparent due to filtration.
Nutrients	Higher levels of enzymes, antioxidants, and bee pollen.	Lower levels of beneficial compounds due to heat processing.
Taste	More complex flavor profile, varies by floral source.	Milder, more uniform flavor.
Crystallization	Crystallizes naturally and more quickly.	Stays in liquid form for longer.
Botulism Risk	Yes, contains Clostridium botulinum spores (infants only).	Yes, also contains Clostridium botulinum spores (infants only).

Health Considerations Beyond Botulism

While botulism is the most significant risk, particularly for infants, other health considerations apply to all consumers:

Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to bee pollen, which is present in raw honey. Symptoms can include wheezing, dizziness, or nausea.
Sugar Content: Honey is a sugar. Excessive consumption, whether raw or pasteurized, contributes to overall sugar intake and should be limited, especially for individuals with diabetes or those monitoring blood sugar.
Cross-Contamination: While extremely rare in honey itself, a contaminated product could potentially carry harmful bacteria. This is why buying from reputable sources is crucial.

How to Safely Consume Raw Unpasteurized Honey

For adults and children over one year of age, consuming raw unpasteurized honey is safe when sourced and stored correctly. The most important rule is to never give any type of honey to an infant. Here are some tips for safe consumption for others:

Buy from a trusted source: Purchase from reputable local beekeepers or well-known health food stores to ensure purity and minimal additives.
Storage: Store your honey in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration is not necessary and can speed up crystallization.
Reliquify Crystallized Honey Safely: If your raw honey crystallizes, simply place the jar in a warm water bath to gently re-liquefy it. Avoid high heat like microwaving, as this can destroy beneficial enzymes.
Moderation is Key: Enjoy honey as a sweetener in moderation to control sugar intake.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

In conclusion, the decision of whether it's okay to eat raw unpasteurized honey depends heavily on the consumer's age and health status. The critical takeaway is that honey in any form is strictly off-limits for infants under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. For healthy adults and children over one, raw unpasteurized honey is a safe and potentially more nutritious choice than its processed counterpart. It contains higher levels of natural antioxidants and enzymes that may be lost during pasteurization. As with any food, being aware of potential allergies and consuming it in moderation as part of a balanced diet are key. Sourcing from a trusted provider ensures you are getting a pure, high-quality product as close to its natural state as possible, allowing you to enjoy its distinct flavor and potential health benefits.

For more information on the risks of infant botulism, consult the CDC's Botulism Prevention page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores. A baby's developing digestive system cannot neutralize these spores, which can then grow and produce a toxin that causes infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness.

No, the spores that cause infant botulism are heat-resistant and will not be destroyed by typical home cooking or baking temperatures. Therefore, no honey, regardless of preparation, should be given to infants under 12 months of age.

The terms are often used interchangeably. Raw honey is typically strained, but not heated (unpasteurized) or filtered, which preserves its natural enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants.

Raw honey is generally considered healthier for adults and older children because it retains more beneficial compounds like antioxidants, enzymes, and bee pollen, which are often reduced or removed during the heat-treatment (pasteurization) process.

Yes, crystallization is a natural process for raw honey and does not affect its quality or safety. To return it to a liquid state, simply place the jar in a warm water bath.

While rare, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the bee pollen present in raw honey. If you have known pollen or bee allergies, you should be cautious and monitor for symptoms like wheezing or nausea.

No, if a breastfeeding mother eats honey, the botulism spores will not be transmitted to her child through her breast milk.

Raw honey is often cloudier, thicker, and more prone to crystallization. Processed honey is typically clear and transparent. Checking the label for the word 'raw' is the most reliable method.