ISSUE: Bee-Ware Of Dishonest Honey
| Do you care if your honey is “honest honey”—ethically sourced? Then read the labels.
Last year, the U.S. produced only about 144 million pounds of the 382 million pounds of honey consumed. The remainder was imported from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and other countries. And it’s the “other countries” wherein the problem lies—specifically, Asian imports. Two years ago, the U.S. imposed a 500% tariff on honey from China because the Chinese government subsidizes Chinese honey makers, with the goal of driving U.S. producers out of the market. The practice nearly ruined the market for domestic honey. To get around the tariff, China has been using labels such as “Product of Thailand” or “Product of Indonesia” on 100% Chinese honey, rerouting its products through other countries and/or mixing tiny amounts of Thai or Indonesian honey into Chinese honey. This is neither ethical nor legal. And it’s certainly not sweet.
|
Only buy “honest honey.” Photo courtesy |
|
| So keep your eyes open, read labels and strike a blow for justice by buying “honest honey.”
Learn more at HonestHoney.com. Find the sweet side of honey in THE NIBBLE’s Honey Section: product reviews, recipes, food and honey pairings and articles all about honey. |
||
