The Dark Side of Honey: Honey Adulteration
Did you know that honey is one of the top three most adulterated foods on the market? According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as much as 76% of honey in U.S. grocery stores is adulterated or has been processed to the point that it no longer meets the standards of real honey. Honey adulteration has become a widespread issue that many consumers are unaware of. Let’s get you informed about this issue!
How is Honey Adulterated?
The most common way honey is adulterated is through dilution. Large-scale honey suppliers, known as “honey packers”, dilute pure honey by adding cheaper sweeteners like corn syrup, rice syrup, sugar beet syrup, or cane sugar.
Additionally, some honey packers engage in pollen manipulation. Pollen serves as a geographic fingerprint, indicating where the honey originated. Some dishonest suppliers remove the natural pollen and then add pollen from other sources, such as from the New Zealand tea tree, to falsely market their honey as high-value Manuka honey. This allows them to sell a more common honey at a much higher price due to its supposed geographical origin.
Tip: If you’re looking for high-quality, authentic Manuka honey, check out Comvita.
The Issue of Mislabeling
Another major concern with honey is mislabeling, which can take several forms. Honey may be labeled incorrectly based on its geographic origin, the varietal, or type of flowers the bees foraged on (ie: Orange Blossom, Manuka, Blackberry, Sourwood, etc.), or even its organic status. For example, there’s no such thing as organic honey produced in the U.S., as honey bees can fly up to 6 miles on a foraging trip and as such they can’t be confined to specific, pesticide-free areas. If you see honey labeled as organic, it’s important to check the country of origin. More than half of the honey consumed in the U.S. is imported, with top suppliers including Vietnam, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China.
While honey imported from countries can be more affordable, it often comes with risks tied to quality control and safety standards. In some countries, beekeeping regulations are more lenient, allowing the use of harsh chemicals or antibiotics that are banned or strictly regulated in the U.S. These substances are often used to control pests and diseases in bee colonies, but traces of these chemicals can end up in the honey.
Commercial Honey Processing
Another factor that impacts honey quality is the commercial processing it undergoes. After honey is extracted from the comb, it is often flash heated to 140-170°F. This process allows honey to flow more rapidly and easily through filters, but it destroys many of the beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and nutrients. The honey is then ultra-filtered. This filtering process removes much of (or all of) the pollen and other microscopic particles, stripping honey of the natural elements that contribute to its flavor and health benefits. Removing pollen makes it hard to identify its geographical origin so we can verify the source and purity of the honey
Tip: Look for raw honey which is honey that is harvested straight from the honeycomb and minimally processed, ensuring that it retains all its natural enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Unlike commercially processed honey, which is often heated and filtered to make it smoother and extend shelf life, raw honey is typically only strained to remove large particles like beeswax and pollen, leaving its natural components intact.
How to Find High-Quality Honey
If you want to avoid adulterated honey, buying local is one of the best solutions. When sourcing honey, visiting farmers' markets where you can meet beekeepers directly offers a level of transparency that large-scale suppliers can’t provide. You can ask the beekeeper questions such as:
How are your bees doing this year?
What types of flowers do they forage on?
Do you heat your honey during extraction?
How do you filter your honey?
These questions can help you learn more about the quality and source of the honey you’re purchasing. Supporting local beekeepers not only helps you avoid adulterated honey but also encourages sustainable practices and helps protect the bee populations that are so vital to our ecosystems.
Head over to our Shop to purchase a 3oz or 12oz honey. It's local, raw, and DELICIOUS!