In this ongoing series, we’ve explored how deceptive practices impact different sectors of the food industry. These insights reveal how consumers can easily fall prey to mislabeling and adulteration. For an overview of food fraud and food fencing, see Part 1, and for an exposé on olive oil, the world’s most commonly adulterated food, check out Part 2.
It’s no surprise that 🐝🍯HONEY🍯🐝 is one of the most commonly adulterated foods worldwide, ranking just behind olive oil. In the United States, honey production stands at around 150,000 to 160,000 metric tons annually, while consumption far outstrips this, reaching approximately 400,000 metric tons each year. This gap between production and consumption necessitates a heavy reliance on imported honey, which significantly heightens the risk of adulteration. The high demand creates opportunities for fraudsters to introduce diluted or counterfeit honey into the market. Adulterated honey often contains cheaper sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup, rice syrup, beet sugar and/or cane sugar; compromising its purity and health benefits. Additionally, pasteurizing and filtering honey can eliminate beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants, diminishing its health benefits and natural flavor. Filtering also removes pollen, which can be important for identifying honey’s source and maintaining its nutritional value.
In the honey industry, mislabeling is a frequent form of food fencing. Lower-quality or adulterated honey is often marketed as premium or pure, misleading consumers about its true nature. This can involve blending cheaper or contaminated honey with genuine products or falsely labeling imported honey as domestic. Such practices not only deceive buyers but also erode trust in honey products. Therefore, it’s crucial for consumers to remain vigilant about the sources of their honey to ensure they’re getting genuine, high-quality, raw, unfiltered honey.
We are dedicated to offering honey that meets the highest purity standards. For authentic honey, choose products from reputable sources known for their transparency. We advise purchasing only pure, raw honey from trusted beekeepers or local farmers markets, and we recommend avoiding the grocery store. When dining out at New Mexican restaurants, be sure to bring your own honey, as most establishments serve “sopapilla sauce,” a blend of corn syrup, pasteurized honey, and vanilla.
September is National Honey Month! Celebrate with a jar, case, or 5 gallon pail of our pure, raw honey. Visit us at Los Ranchos Growers Market to taste the rich, natural flavor that sets our honey apart. It’s perfect for your favorite recipes or a sweet addition to your day. Come see us and bring home the real taste of honey this month!
Taste the Truth,
Brenna & Kenny
