Fake Honey Troubles: The Global Honey Laundering Scandal
Fake honey continues to flood into Canada, posing serious health risks and undermining local beekeepers. In 2018, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that nearly 22 percent of imported honey was adulterated with corn syrup, sugar cane, rice syrup, or beet sugar, a practice known as "honey laundering." While direct imports from China were restricted due to food fraud concerns, a cunning method called transshipping emerged, with countries like Vietnam and Ukraine serving as intermediaries.
Unmasking the Sweet Deception
Chinese companies, masters of deception, have employed ultra-filtration to remove traces of pollen from honey, hindering efforts to trace its true origin. This process not only strips away vital nutritional elements but has also revealed the presence of illegal antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol. Moreover, reports highlight potential lead contamination in honey from small-scale Chinese beekeeping operations.
Local Beekeepers Under Siege
Legitimate Canadian beekeepers face fierce competition from cheap, impure imports, jeopardizing both their livelihoods and the health of consumers. Chris Hiemstra, an Ontario beekeeper, lamented the stark contrast: "someone can sell sugar for 20 cents a pound and say it’s honey against someone that needs $2 a lb. to make a living."
Safeguarding Your Honey Choices
Amidst this honey scandal, consumers are urged to steer clear of major honey brands and opt for products from smaller, trusted, local businesses. However, the burden should not fall on consumers alone. Canadians deserve the assurance that honey on their grocery shelves is pure and safe. It's time to demand rigorous honey testing and a complete ban on imports involved in the Chinese transshipment scheme.
