Make sure honey is the genuine article

After a survey carried out in the US, it was found that 76 per cent of all honey sold there contained no honey at all. This was proved by the fact there was a complete absence of pollen. Bearing in mind that all local honey from farmers and farmers’ markets was tested as real honey, the percentage of this so- called “honey” sold from retail outlets was clearly much higher than 76 per cent. At least four jars in five. In some major stores it was 100 per cent non-honey content.

While the actual constituents of the honey in this huge scam have yet to be established, it is said that it is most likely based on corn syrup and may originate from China. Corn syrup is not a healthy product .

Meanwhile the best known brand on sale in Malta has increased 50 per cent in price in the past two years. If it turns out to have a cheap corn syrup base, the Maltese people will be outraged and wondering what other fake products they are buying. The label says it is a blend of EC and non-EC honeys. It should be easy, therefore, to track down the point at which the ingredients are put into the bulk containers for bottling, if required.

It is necessary for Malta Trading Standards to test all “honey” to ensure that every brand sold in Malta is real honey. Apart from the possible rip-off involved, if it is not honey, then the medicinal benefits for which many of us buy honey are negated and it may also be contaminated with unknown pollutants.

If this is happening in the US it is very likely happening in EU countries too.