Unlike dairy products, pasteurizing honey isn't about food safety, as natural honey is one of the safest food products you can eat. Instead, pasteurization is mainly done to slow down the natural process of crystallization, or when liquid honey starts to turn stiff and crunchy over time.

Is it necessary to pasteurize honey?

Because of its low moisture content and high acidity, bacteria and other harmful organisms cannot live or reproduce in honey, so pasteurization is not done for that purpose. ... All nectar (the source for all honey) contains osmophilic yeasts, which can reproduce in higher-moisture content honey and cause fermentation.

Is it OK to eat unpasteurized honey?

Honey manufacturers will usually pass raw honey through a filter to remove as many impurities as possible, but some generally remain. It is still safe to eat. Unlike raw honey, regular honey undergoes a pasteurization process.