New York producers pushing to define what is honey

[Kris G.]

Everyone knows what honey is, right? Not so fast. Last week, the state Legislature introduced bills in both houses that would create a standard of identity for honey. In other words, beekeepers and pollinators in New York want the government to let packers, producers, importers and consumers know what is and isn't honey.

Why all the fuss? In short, because Chinese imports of cheap, mislabeled and often adulterated honey are putting the squeeze on the U.S. industry.

This isn't a new issue.
The U.S. began charging hefty tariffs on Chinese imports in 2001. Packers were then pressed to find enough domestic honey to fill the demand. Afraid that some U.S. producers would be tempted by high prices to adulterate their product, several industry organizations rallied for a federal standard of identity that would ensure that any produce labeled honey was in fact honey, and not stretched with high fructose corn syrup, cane syrup or other sweeteners.
China has been finding ways around the tariffs law by labeling honey as a different type of sweetener, importing it through other countries (a practice known as honey laundering) or by setting up shell companies that go out of business once duties come due.
So far, Florida, California, Wisconsin and North Carolina have set standards under law. Two dozen other states have legislation pending.

Having such a definition gives inspectors teeth to deal with adulterated, mislabeled and illegally imported honey.
Beekeeper Pat Bono of Seaway Trail Honey in Wayne County has been one of the key organizers at the Empire State Honey Producers Association to get the legislation into the state's pipeline. She has set up an educational website on the issue.
She says a lack of clear definition means consumers have no way to know for sure whether the product labeled pure honey on the supermarket shelf is indeed that.
"That's why it's good to know your producer, to buy local," she says.

Most states that have adopted a standard of definition don't have enforcement measures in place, though Wisconsin and a few other states have certification programs, Bono adds.
New York is the 12th-largest honey producer in the country.

"The image of honey is being eroded," Bono says. "Once we have the law, we can start crowing about how New York state has a standard."
KMILTNER@DemocratandChronicle.com