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Honey labeling: origin must be more precise
Find out why not all honey jelly is honey-sweet. The labeling and origin of honey are important points you should know. Read more! #Honey #Food #Transparency #Health
Honey labeling: origin must be more precise
Honey is an extremely popular food in Germany, with Germans having the highest honey consumption in the world at 1.1 kilograms per person. This is used in many ways as a sweetener, be it in tea, salad dressing or as a spread. Around 30 percent of the honey consumed comes from within the country, while the majority is imported, mainly from countries such as Ukraine, Argentina and Mexico.
There is often debate about whether honey is healthier, especially when compared to table sugar. Honey consists of 80 percent of the simple sugars fructose and glucose and provides around 300 kilocalories per 100 grams. Although honey also contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, the amounts are so small that their contribution to the supply is negligible. Due to its high sugar content, honey, like table sugar, should be used sparingly, as regular high consumption can lead to obesity and the risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Caution should be exercised when heating honey, as temperatures above 120 degrees Celsius and low humidity allow the formation of acrylamide, which can increase the risk of cancer. Honey is also unsuitable for babies under 12 months as it may contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Transparent labeling is another issue where consumers are demanding more clarity about the origin of honey, especially when it comes to blends from different countries of origin.
The adulteration of honey by adding sugar syrup is a current problem that has been exposed through campaigns such as “From the Hives”. Around 46 percent of the honey samples examined did not comply with regulations. Although this is not a representative study, measures are needed to curb fraud. The effects of stretched honey mainly concern consumer confidence and could negatively impact professional beekeepers in the EU.
To identify stretched honey, it is difficult to check it yourself because the taste and appearance are very similar to the original honey. It is therefore up to food companies and the authorities to detect cases of fraud. In Germany there are clear standards and distinctions between different types of honey such as “real German honey”, “beekeeper honey”, “organic honey” and “fair trade honey” that consumers should take into account when making their selection.