British beekeepers are endorsing proposed new regulations aimed at combating fraud within the honey supply chain, ensuring transparency in the journey of honey from the beehive to store shelves, spanning distances of up to 5,000 miles.
The European Parliament has approved new labeling regulations and initiated a project to establish a traceability system for honey, covering its journey from harvesting to consumption. These proposed rules are part of a broader revision of the “breakfast directives,” which include the honey directive.
Honey producers and sellers in the UK are advocating for the adoption of these regulations in Britain. Honey is a common target for fraudulent activities, with a European Commission investigation in March last year revealing that 46% of sampled products were suspected of adulteration.
Lynne Ingram, master beekeeper at Wesley Cottage Bees and chair of the Honey Authenticity Network UK, expressed optimism about the proposed changes, stating that they represent a positive step in curbing the trade of adulterated honey. Ingram believes that these measures will instill greater confidence among consumers regarding the quality and authenticity of the honey they purchase.
Currently, there is no requirement in the EU or UK to disclose the countries of origin for honey blends originating from multiple countries. However, under the proposed EU regulations, the country of origin will need to be labeled, and efforts will be made to identify digital solutions for tracking honey along the supply chain.
Pressure is mounting on the UK government to ensure that honey producers provide equivalent information to UK consumers. Concerns have been raised that the absence of country of origin labeling could leave consumers with less information compared to their European counterparts.
China is the largest exporter of honey, with the UK being its largest customer. However, the international honey supply chain presents opportunities for fraudsters who adulterate honey with cheaper sugar syrup. Concerns have been raised about the authenticity of Chinese honey, with reports of unripe honey being extracted from hives and artificially dried to reduce moisture levels, in violation of legal standards.
Prof. Norberto Garcia of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, criticized the production of unripe honey, labeling it as an unfair practice that deceives customers and damages traditional production methods.
While the UK government is evaluating the technical details of the EU proposals, it remains committed to maintaining high food standards, protecting consumers, and supporting businesses and consumer choice.
The British Honey Importers and Packers Association (BHIPA) emphasized its commitment to ensuring that honey supplied to the UK market conforms to legislation and supports initiatives aimed at providing greater assurance and transparency to consumers. BHIPA stressed the importance of careful consideration in future decisions regarding global honey production methods to avoid discrimination based solely on country of origin.