Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsFood TypeManagementRegulatorySupply ChainFood DefenseIngredientsInternational Standards/HarmonizationImports/Exports

Investigation Finds Nearly Half of Honey Imported to EU is Adulterated

honey dripping from a wand

Credit: Mae Mu via Unsplash

March 31, 2023

Approximately 46 percent of honey imported to the EU is adulterated, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). These findings are the result of an EU-coordinated action, titled, “From the Hives.”

From the Hives involved three stages that were executed from October 2021–May 2022:

  1. Imported honey samples were collected at EU borders and were analyzed by the Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) in Geel, Belgium
  2. EU Member States and the food fraud team from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) recollected honey samples at each point of destination, as well as information on suspected operators based on past imports registered within the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), non-compliances, and food fraud suspicions registered within the Alert and Cooperation Network
  3. Authorities from Member States and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states carried out food fraud investigations with support from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) at the places of import into the EU, processing, blending, and packing.

The coordinated action confirmed the initial assumption that a significant part of honey imported into the EU is not compliant with the provisions of European Council Directive 2001/110/EC (the “Honey Directive”). Specifically, 46 percent of the 320 imported honey samples included in the From the Hives initiative were found to be non-compliant with Honey Directive requirements. The Honey Directive sets forth the essential requirements to be met by honey products in order to allow such products to move freely within the EU market.

The present From the Hive findings showed a much higher rate of non-compliance among honey imports when compared to the findings obtained in 2015–2017, which revealed a 14 percent non-compliance rate. In 2020–2022, the highest absolute number of suspicious consignments originated from China (74 percent), although honey originating from Turkey had the highest relative proportion of suspicious samples (93 percent). Honey imported from the UK had an even higher suspicion rate (100 percent), which is likely due to the fact that honey is produced in other countries before being further blended in the UK and then re-exported to the EU.

More than half (57 percent) of the operators had exported honey that was suspicious of being adulterated with extraneous sugars, and more than 60 percent (66 total) of the operators imported at least one suspicious consignment. To date, 44 EU operators have been investigated and seven have been sanctioned. Forensic investigations undertaken by Member States and OLAF based on onsite inspection, sampling, and close examination of digital records demonstrated complicity between exporters and importers and the following malpractices:

  • Use of sugar syrups to adulterate honey and lower its price, both in non-EU countries and the EU
  • Analysis in accredited laboratories to adapt honey/sugar blends to elude possible detection by clients and official authorities before import operations
  • Use of additives and colorings to adulterate the true botanical source of the honey
  • Masking of the true geographical origin of honey by forging traceability information and removing pollens.

The European Commission suspects that it is highly likely that a large portion of suspicious honey imported from non-EU remains present and undetected on the EU market. The Commission will discuss an appropriate follow-up to this coordinated action with the relevant stakeholders and Member States authorities. The following course of action is being considered:

  1. Requiring food business operators, including importers, in the honey sector to ensure that food placed on the EU market satisfies the requirements of EU and national food law; verify that such requirements are met; and correctly identify the nature, composition, place or country of origin of the honey
  2. Inviting Member States to increase their official controls on the market and at EU borders, and to improve investigation techniques such as analytical methods for determining authenticity
  3. Reinforcing import requirements, such as the authenticity responsibility for exporting countries, and working with the competent authorities of exporting countries to address the issue of fraudulent products.

The From the Hive findings follow recent reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that also demonstrate the widespread and significant issue of imported honey adulteration within their respective countries.

KEYWORDS: Adulteration EU European Commission food fraud honey imports and exports

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Testing & Analysis
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Facilities
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Corporate manager talking with factory employees

Turning Resistance into Opportunity: Motivating Change in the Food Industry

Microphone in a conference room used for receiving public comment

FDA Seeks Input on New Method for Ranking Chemicals in Food for Post-Market Assessments

Image of executive signing legislation into law

Texas Governor Abbott Signs MAHA-Similar Bill into Law

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and EHEDG Guidance

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • honey dripping onto a spoon black background

    FDA Finds Food Fraud Affected Three Percent of Imported Honey Samples in 2022–2023

    See More
  • honey wand and puddle of honey on a white plate

    Researchers Develop New Honey Authentication Techniques to Combat Pervasive Adulteration

    See More
  • honey dripping from stick

    FDA Food Fraud Testing Finds Adulteration Among 10 Percent of Honey Imports

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • February 11, 2025

    Recall Readiness: How to Conduct a Mock Recall and Ensure Traceability

    On Demand: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of ensuring traceability along the supply chain. 
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing