On April 10, the European Parliament approved new rules on honey labeling, a measure that seeks to combat adulterated products from third countries.
In the future, the label will have to visibly indicate the countries of origin of the honey with the percentage they represent in the mixture and a platform of experts will be created to help detect adulterated honey and improve controls.
A way to protect consumers from a very frequent practice, in view of the data from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the EU Joint Investigation Center collected by Sicpa (provider of security solutions in supply chains), which indicate that almost half (46%) of honey imported into the European Union has been altered by adding water or artificial sugar syrups in order to increase its volume.
In the analysis of samples, 24 of the 47 taken in Spain were placed in the suspicious category, and 13 of the 15 operators in our country imported products in which the use of additives, colorants and strategies to conceal the geographical origin were detected. and product traceability.
The situation not only harms consumers but also beekeepers. Spain has around 16% of the hives in the entire EU, and 80% are in the hands of professional beekeepers who manage more than 150 hives. Beyond the economic, this sector is attributed an important role in the conservation of the natural environment, the pollination of crops and the maintenance of biodiversity, although in recent years it has also suffered the consequences of droughts and climate change. .