News

US Beekeepers have taken a class action in California against 4 US major honey importers and packers along with True Source Honey, an organisation set up by the importers and packers to operate a honey-certification scheme. The Beekeepers claim that the certification scheme relies on outdated methodology to detect adulteration of honey, which fails to detect C3 sugar sources (sugar beet, rice, wheat and cassava). The class action aims to clear supermarket shelves of the alleged adulterated honey in jars and cereal packets, and seeks millions of dollars in damages for lost sales and profits over the past decade.

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 The US demand for honey is roughly four times the amount produced by US beekeepers. Price differential between most imported honey and US produced honey indicates a vulnerability to adulteration, and beekeepers are working with Congress to appropriate more funds for U.S. Customs to test imported honey. To ensure consumers have confidence in US produced honey, a new certification scheme has been formed - GenuHoney.  To receive GenuHoney certification, beekeepers undergo a three-part authentication process: an unannounced, forensic audit of either the beekeeper or packer; random sample authenticity testing and brand authentication.

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