Irradiation D values for the natural bacterial flora of two samples of raw (bulk) honey were 7.50 and 1.91 kGy; for two samples of retail honey the D values were 5.66 and 3.49 kGy. Irradiation D values of Clostridium botulinum 62A spores inoculated into three honey samples and into water were respectively, 8.11, 9.38, 12.77, and 2.07 kGy. Similar D values for Bacillus subtilis spores were 3.42, 3.35, 4.00, and 1.43 kGy. The radiation resistance of C. botulinum and B. subtilis spores in honey and in sugar syrups was a function of water content.