The recent news and press releases regarding honey sold in South Africa have caused considerable concern amongst consumers of honey.  SABIO (the South African Bee Industry Organisation) has been active in trying to protect South African honey consumers from inferior, tainted honey.  Some success has been achieved over the years although there are matters that need to be rectified.  SABIO shares consumers’ concerns and has been trying for years to ensure that the consumer is protected by the legislation in place to do this. 

It needs to be stressed that the honey imported from China with elements of chloramphenicol antibiotic first occurred in 2002 and no traces of this antibiotic have been found in any imported honey since 2005.  SABIO has constantly been in touch with the Dept of Agriculture regarding imports and rebates on levies for imported honey.  The regulations regarding food safety and honey packaging are extensive and clearly spelt out in our legislation. Tests have been done on imported honey but these have not been systematic and there are no records we can easily trace of quantities and quality of honey imported into South Africa.  This is a matter that requires urgent attention by all authorities and retail organizations.

Steps SABIO intends to take to ensure that honey on the shelf is safe for all consumers so that honey is restored to its rightful place as a safe and nutritious commodity.

1. There is a critical need to ensure that all records of honey imported into the country are available for public scrutiny.  All imported honey must be irradiated and if mixed with local honey be labeled as such.
2. Honey is tested at present on the shelf but this is done in a random manner – all honey imported into the country must have a sample tested to ensure that it is of a suitable standard.
3. Local honey producers need to comply, within reason, with whatever tests are required by the retailers or Dept of Health.  It is important to note however that honey is a sterile medium and bacteria do not readily survive in honey.   Threats are primarily from pesticides and bee diseases that exist as spores in honey.  Natural yeasts and enzymes disappear if honey is processed too much.
4. Extensive labeling requirements are stipulated in legislation and it is imperative that all retailers are informed of these regulations so honey on the shelf is defined and traceable to its source if there are any queries regarding its origin.  Information such as grade, producer identity, country of origin etc need to be indicated on the jar.  There are also certain size stipulations set out for honey packaging.
5. All role players in the food chain need to co-operate to ensure that honey on the shelf is as pristine as it ought to be considering that it is produced in nature by the most remarkable of insects.

We are grateful to the press for bringing this matter to the attention of the public.  We will continue to bring pressure to bear on honey producers who do not comply with the regulatory requirements.  In addition to these areas of intervention SABIO has asked for the National Agriculture Marketing Council to undertake a section 7 analysis of the honey industry and they have agreed to do this.  This survey will include all aspects of the industry, retailers and government. Following this analysis a report is presented to government as a comprehensive strategy in order to secure any loopholes that may still be present in the value chain of honey from the producer to the consumer.

I hope that consumers will be re-assured by these initiatives.  Please understand that the “lethal product” mentioned refers to a threat nearly 6 years ago and that steps were taken to ensure that this honey was stopped.  Check labels on the shelf, be sure you can trace your supplier and contact the producer if in any doubt.

John Moodie
Vice Chairperson SABIO