According to a latest report published by the European Commission, a very significant proportion of honey imported into the EU contains added sugars and is therefore not really honey from the work of bees alone. The announcement causes a sensation as a new Honey directive at European level is expected.
“A significant portion of honey imported into Europe is suspected of being fraudulent, but it is often not detected” : this is one of the conclusions of the From The Hives report (From the hive) published by the European Commission. The official laboratory of the Joint Research Center (JRC) inspected for the Commission 320 batches of honey intended for marketing on the European market : 46% of these batches contained rice-based sugar syrups, wheat or sugar beet, a prohibited practice, and were therefore not really honey. Of the 21 samples taken in France, only four were real honey (most non-compliant batches were destined for other countries). Germany : 32 samples taken, half non-compliant. Poland : 103 samples taken, almost half non-compliant. This last control caused Famille Michaud Apiculteurs to react, French and European leader in honey, with the brands Lune de Miel and Miel l’Apiculteur. The specialist in blended honeys requires mandatory systematic analyzes from beekeepers and packers.
One of the food products most affected by fraud
“It is not the origin of a honey that guarantees its quality, but control”, explains Marie Michaud, general director of Famille Michaud Apiculteurs. The upcoming revision of the Honey Directive at European level is, for the brand, the opportunity to address the subject and adopt a dissuasive legislative framework for fraudsters. “Honey is one of the five food products most affected by fraud in the world. If we really want to limit this fraud and offer consumers pure and natural honey, without added sugar or additives, there is no other solution than to impose analyzes on beekeepers and packers before marketing. These tests exist and are financially accessible. » Famille Michaud Apiculteurs affirms, For its part, analyze 100% of its honey with its partner laboratory.
The composition and labeling of honey
The expected new European text must clarify the definition of honey to guarantee that it is only the pure and natural fruit of the work of bees. The text should also harmonize the requirements in terms of transparency of origin labeling : today only seven European countries, including France, require that all honey packaged on their territory mention the countries of origin. Other countries, as far as they are concerned, continue to display the words “mixture of honeys originating and not originating in the EU”. “This situation is not favorable to consumers and disadvantages our national companies”, Judge Marie Michaud.
