The European Comission just published the results of the operation From the hives (“From the hives”) whose objective was to detect possible fraud in honey imported from outside the Union, focusing especially on adulterated honeys with added sugars.
It is a large-scale action coordinated between 16 countries members, plus Norway and Switzerlandwhich started with a first phase of sampling at the borders, between October 2021 and February 2022. Of the 320 samples analyzed, one 46% are suspected of not complying with the regulations of the EU that regulates the quality of honey suitable for sale and consumption, and, therefore, it would be a food fraud.
honey adulterated with sugar
With the samples gathered at the different European borders, it was passed to a second stage of the operation. Participating countries and the EU Directorate General for Health and Food Safety collected information from operators suspected of fraud, in addition to traceability elements of the different honeys.
Then each of the countries thoroughly investigated in the places of importation, transformation, mixing and packaging of honey consignments under suspicion, with the support of investigators from the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf). Of the 320 samples taken and analyzed by the Joint Research Center (JRC), 147 (46%) were suspected of not complying with the legislation.
Adulterated honey does not have health risks, but it does have economic damage
is a percentage remarkably mayr to that of a similar operation carried out a few years earlier, where adulteration was only detected in 17%. Although do not pose any risk for health, these adulterated products do pose a serious economic threat for a sector that is already badly damaged in Europe, which also casts doubt on the very reputation of European honey and undermines consumer confidence in the safety of the Union’s food chain.
The usual practice of fraudsters is to mix honey with sugar syrups that lower the cost, producing a much lower quality honey, but much cheaper and that, often, the consumer is not able to distinguish, at least until they try it. Therefore, the main loser is the small local artisan honey producer, unable to compete with such low prices.
The disappearance of European beekeeping represents an irreversible loss not only at an economic and cultural level, it also has negative consequences for agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystems that depend on bees. According to the information handled by the EU, adulterated honey often goes unnoticed in our markets.
Given these results, the Commission has already asked the countries to take action to combat fraud, increasing controls and penalizing operators who introduce and distribute these adulterated honeys in the European market. In addition, work is underway to review the Directive and better protect both the consumer and the producers, promoting a detailed labeling of origin.
Forest Honey – 100% Natural Pure Bee, Raw, 1Kg – Origin: El Bierzo, Spain
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