Tag: Spores

Bacterial spores, dormant and highly resilient structures produced by certain bacteria, are some of the most heat-resistant organisms known, surviving even boiling water. Knowing which preservation method kills spores in food is critical for preventing serious foodborne illnesses like botulism.

While honey does not contain the pre-formed botulinum toxin, studies have shown that it may be contaminated with the spores of the bacterium *Clostridium botulinum*. This seemingly small distinction is critical for understanding why honey is dangerous for infants but safe for older children and adults. The answer to "is botulinum toxin in honey?" is no, but the risk lies in the spores.

Did you know the gut contains trillions of microorganisms? When this balance is disrupted, probiotics can help. Enterogermina is a popular choice, but what probiotics are in Enterogermina and how do they function?

While not all honey contains botulism spores, research indicates that a small percentage of honey samples may be contaminated with them. This fact is critical for understanding why honey can be a safe and nutritious food for most people, but poses a serious risk to infants under one year of age.