Five people and two U.S. honey processors were charged with federal crimes last week as a result of an investigation into illegal importation of honey from China, known as “Honeygate,” led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The government is alleging that Chinese honey — which can be laced with…
National Honey Board: Honey is Made from Nectar, Not Pollen
In the last several months various stories have resulted in misunderstanding and confusion about honey and honey filtration, leading some readers to believe that any honey without pollen is not real honey.
This is not true. Honey without pollen is still honey nutritionally and in flavor, and that is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
Lawsuit Claims Some Store ‘Honey’ Brands Are Deceptive
A series of class action lawsuits has been filed in Florida against major food retailers who allegedly sell honey that may not be “honey” because it does not contain pollen.
Five Florida residents are bringing suits against four different grocery chains – Publix Super Markets, Inc., Target Corporation, Walgreen Co. and Aldi, Inc. – that …
Top Food Safety Stories of 2011: No. 7
The 7th most important food safety story of 2011 was the investigation by Food Safety News into the world honey trade.
It’s been a decade since the U.S. Commerce Department ordered stiff import tariffs to prevent the tsunami of plastic bears and jars filled with government-subsidized Chinese honey from flooding our local stores.
If the …
Tests Show Most Store Honey Isn't Honey
More than three-fourths of the honey sold in U.S. grocery stores isn’t exactly what the bees produce, according to testing done exclusively for Food Safety News.
The results show that the pollen frequently has been filtered out of products labeled “honey.”
The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make…
Top Pollen Detective Finds Honey a Sticky Business
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Vaughn Bryant peered through the eye piece of his microscope, making infinitesimally small adjustments on the position of the slide beneath the lens.
“Nothing,” he said, and switched the slide for another.
“Again, nothing,” he said after about 40 seconds, and substituted another glass slide with a smudge in its center.…