Honey adulteration should not be taken lightly. It's the practice of adding substances to honey to dilute its purity or quality, leading to reduced nutritional and medicinal value. In addition, honey adulteration can have negative economic and legal implications, and it can be misleading to consumers like you and me who may not be aware of the adulteration.
So what's the big deal?
Currently the country of origin on honey labels can be replaced if the honey originates from multiple countries, with ‘blend of EU/non-EU/EU and non-EU honeys’. This to me is insufficient to allow us to make an informed choice. All countries where the honey originated should be listed because the more countries on a label, the more sceptical we may be on its purity and we may decide to buy something different.
To meet demand, around 90% of the honey we eat in the UK is imported which had led to the issue of honey adulteration. The honey you see in many supermarkets at low prices often contains very little honey. If you taste pure honey from a local beekeeper the difference will be mind-blowing but sadly it does come at a cost, a cost in my opinion that is worth every penny.
One of the main reasons why honey adulteration is an issue is that it reduces the quality of honey and you as a consumer would never know. Pure honey is a natural, nutritious food produced by bees using the nectar of flowers. It is rich in antioxidants, enzymes, and other beneficial compounds that can have positive effects on human health. Adulterating honey with water, sugars, syrups, or other sweeteners dilutes its purity and can lower its quality. This means that adulterated honey may not have the same flavour, aroma, or nutritional value as pure honey. In addition, pure honey has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments, and it is believed to have numerous health benefits, such as helping to soothe a sore throat, improve sleep, and boost the immune system. However, if honey is adulterated, it may not have the same medicinal properties as pure honey.
Another reason is that it can have negative economic implications. Adulterated honey can be sold at a much much lower price than pure honey, which can negatively impact the market for pure honey and the livelihoods of beekeepers who spend a lot of time to produce it. The demand for pure honey may decrease as consumers opt for cheaper options, which can lead to a decline in the number of beekeepers and a decrease in the overall production of pure honey. This can have negative consequences for the economy, as the honey industry is a significant contributor to many countries' agricultural sectors.
In addition, honey adulteration is often illegal, and those who engage in it can face legal consequences. In many countries, it is against the law to sell adulterated honey as 'pure honey', and those who do so can be fined or face criminal charges. This is because the sale of adulterated honey is considered to be fraudulent and deceptive, and it undermines the trust that consumers have in the food industry. By taking this issue seriously, governments can send a strong message that such practices will not be tolerated and can help to ensure that consumers are protected from deceptive labelling and fraudulent practices.
Now I can't tell you what to buy but what I will say is, spend that little bit extra on a jar of local honey and compare it directly with the cheap jar you have in the cupboard and tell me, which tastes better?
There are several ways to spot honey adulteration:
Check the label: Look for labels that indicate that the honey is pure and of high quality. Some honey may also be certified as organic, which can be an indication of its purity.
Look for crystallisation: Pure honey will naturally crystallize over time, while adulterated honey may not. If the honey you are considering purchasing is not crystallized, this could be a sign of adulteration.
Check the colour and consistency: Pure honey is typically golden or amber in colour, although the exact shade can vary depending on the type of flowers that the bees collected nectar from. Adulterated honey may have a lighter or darker colour, or it may be more transparent. In addition, pure honey is typically thick and viscous, while adulterated honey may be thin and watery.
Perform a "thumb test": Put a small amount of honey on your thumb and see if it spills or runs. Pure honey should stay in place, while adulterated honey may be more prone to spilling or running.
Use the "float test": Fill a glass with water and add a spoonful of honey. Pure honey will sink to the bottom, while adulterated honey may float or mix with the water.
It is important to note that these methods are not fool proof, and they may not always be able to accurately detect honey adulteration. To ensure that you are purchasing pure honey, it is best to buy from reputable sources and to look for labels that indicate the honey is pure and of high quality.
The cheaper the honey, the more chance it's fake.
Can you help?
There is legitimate concern among UK beekeepers and honey producers about honey imports from countries where honey may be adulterated on an industrial scale. This can significantly impact the perceived value of honey in the consumer’s eye and result in unfair economic competition against UK producers. Labelling with full country of origin would enable consumers to choose honey from sources where adulteration is less likely.
Please help beekeepers like me by signing the current active petition on the UK Government petitions site to require honey labels to reflect all countries of origin of the honey. I do acknowledge that for those who cannot afford to pay for local honey this petition may not mean anything but your support will help us educate people and to make honey labelling much more transparent and to support people to make an informed choice on what they are buying.
Click the button below to take you there (closes 13 April 2023):
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