What mandatory contraindication must be observed when considering honey consumption for young children?

It must never be given to infants under one year of age due to infant botulism risk

There is a critical, non-negotiable safety guideline regarding the administration of honey to infants. Honey, even high-quality varieties, carries a risk of containing spores of Clostridium botulinum. While this bacteria is generally harmless to older children and adults because their mature digestive systems can neutralize the spores, infants under one year old lack the necessary mature gut flora and acidity to combat these spores. Ingestion can lead to infant botulism, a serious form of food poisoning that causes muscle weakness and can be life-threatening, necessitating a strict avoidance rule until after the first birthday.