Honey is one of the most popular and beloved natural sweeteners in the world. But did you know that almost half of the honey consumed in the United States is imported and often altered with other substances, such as syrup? A recent study has found that honey fraud is a serious and growing problem, and consumers may not be getting what they think they are paying for. In this article, we will explore the issue of honey adulteration and its potential impact on health and the environment. We’ll also discuss ways to identify and avoid fake honey, and why supporting local beekeepers is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and transparent honey industry.
Honey adulteration is suspected on a global scale, with EU authorities reporting widespread adulteration following a border investigation. The investigation found that 46% of imported honey samples had unsatisfactory results, indicating they contained sugar syrups. After follow-up investigations of 44 EU importers, seven have been sanctioned. Of the suspect honey, 340 tonnes were either rejected at EU borders, recalled, withdrawn or downgraded to sugar syrups for other food industry uses. While it may not present a direct threat to public health, large-scale adulteration of honey is an unfair practice for honest honey producers and consumers.
Fraudsters usually add sugar syrups to honey because it is more profitable. The EU average unit value for imported honey is €2.32/kg in 2021, whereas sugar syrups made from rice are available at around 40-60c/kg. Adulteration is, therefore, worthwhile for unscrupulous companies. Sometimes water is even added to honey. The difficulty of detecting added syrups makes it more attractive to fraudsters. EU authorities admit that their official analytical methods to detect honey authenticity are lagging behind and not sensitive enough to detect lower levels of adulteration.
The honeys were sampled across 17 countries, including Ireland, between November 2021 to February 2022. Exporting countries with the worst results included China, with 74% of suspicious consignments, and Turkey with 93%. The EU authorities have not ruled out banning honey from some countries, but it would remain a measure of last resort.
Forensic investigations by OLAF revealed the use of sugar syrups to adulterate honey and lower its price both inside and outside the EU. Fraudsters also adapt their adulteration methods to elude detection, use of additives and colourings to adulterate botanical sources and mask geographical origins of honey by forging traceability information and by removing pollens. They’re believed to have switched from using maize sugar syrups to extend honey, now replaced by syrups made mostly from rice, wheat or sugar beet.
EU authorities have reminded food business operators that they have the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with all food legislation, and they must ensure honey they are trading is of the EU marketing standard. Consumers should check labels for misleading information, beware of prices “too good to be true”, and contact honey companies to report concerns and seek further information on labels or on manufacture.
EU legislation aims at preserving the purity of honey as an unprocessed raw agricultural product. Agriculture ministers have urged the European Commission to review its Honey Directive to improve traceability to protect producers and consumers. The EU imports 40% of its honey at relatively low prices, for example, €1.36/kg from China and €1.89/kg from Ukraine in 2021. Agriculture ministers are also in favor of honey being labeled with the names of all countries of origin, along the lines adopted already by France. The Commission has said it is considering mandatory labelling of all individual countries of origin in honey blends (about 80% of honeys in retail are blends).
In conclusion, honey has always been regarded as a natural and healthy alternative to sugar. However, the recent discovery of widespread adulteration raises serious concerns about the quality of honey available in the market. With almost half of imported honey found to be diluted with syrup, it is essential that consumers become more aware and educate themselves on how to identify and purchase genuine honey. This can be achieved by supporting local beekeepers, reading labels, and opting for certified honey brands. By taking these small steps, we as consumers can help to ensure the integrity of this precious commodity and promote a healthier and sustainable future for all.
