Foods to Avoid Before 12 Months, and Why

Updated 7 October 2026

A short, specific list

Most foods are fine to introduce well before 12 months — this list is short and specific for a reason: each item is on it for a clear safety reason, not general caution.

Honey

Avoid honey completely until after 12 months. It can occasionally contain spores that cause infant botulism, a serious illness — a baby's gut isn't yet developed enough to deal with them safely, though it's perfectly fine for older children and adults.

Salt

Babies' kidneys can't process salt the way adults' can. Avoid adding salt to their food, and be mindful of naturally salty foods — stock cubes, cured meats, ready-made sauces, and most cheeses are often much higher in salt than they taste.

Added sugar

There's no nutritional need for added sugar at this age, and it can shape a preference for sweet food early on. Naturally sweet foods (fruit) are fine — it's syrups, sweetened yoghurts, and sugary snacks worth avoiding.

Whole nuts and peanuts

Whole nuts (and peanuts) are a choking hazard for young children up to around 5 years old, purely because of their size and shape — this is separate from the allergy question. Smooth peanut butter or finely ground nuts mixed into food are fine from around 6 months (see our guide on introducing allergens).

Choking-hazard shapes, whatever the food

Round or coin-shaped pieces — whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, sausage rounds — are a choking risk regardless of the ingredient. Quarter grapes and tomatoes lengthways; slice sausages lengthways, not into rounds.

Unpasteurised foods and undercooked eggs

Unpasteurised milk, cheese, and undercooked or raw eggs carry a higher risk of food poisoning, which babies are less able to fight off than older children. Make sure cheese is pasteurised and eggs are cooked through.

Low-fat or "diet" products

Babies need more fat, proportionally, than adults for brain development — full-fat dairy is the better default, not low-fat versions made for adult diets.