Infant Botulism and Beeswax

[Coral Conant Gilles]

Infant Botulism and Beeswax

Many balms and other moisturizing products for babies (marketed for cheeks, general baby etc) and nursing mothers (marketed as nipple balms that are safe for babies without being washed off) contain beeswax. Babies are not supposed to eat honey because botulism spores are common in honey (10%). Botulism spores are also common in beeswax. The spores are not harmful to adults who have mature, healthy gut systems, but infant guts are immature and great breeding grounds for the bacteria which then produces a deadly toxin. (The toxin is deadly for adults too, but the bacteria won't grow in a mature, healthy gut).

I'm concerned about this use in balms because infants are certainly ingesting some via their hands, cheeks, or mother's nipples. Is there some way that the spores are destroyed during the rendering/processing/preparing of the beeswax?

I made balms with my beeswax last night for myself and my children (including an infant). These spores are smaller than bacteria and were certainly not removed when I strained my beeswax through cheesecloth. I used the same ingredients (including beeswax) ws commercially available products marketed for babies. Are there other processes through which the spores are removed or some means through which they are destroyed? Spores are common in our environment and very difficult to destroy (can be boiled for hours without damage to them). Thanks.

Coral

[Greg V]

One should realize that botulism bacteria spores are everywhere as we speak.

There are probably few spores on my keyboard right now as I types this.

Yet I am pretty sure, I will be alive tomorrow.

The real issue is this - will you create favorable conditions for the spores to wake up?

I don't know if bees wax products are such medium where the botulism bacteria actually can grow and thrive.

Pretty sure there is nothing to worry about, but you should research deeper, of course. :)

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