German honey scandal: Experts uncover rampant adulteration

German shops are inundated with cheap honey, which beekeepers regard as "adulterated." Experts are sounding the alarm, insisting that something must be done urgently.

German beekeepers have reached their limit. They have initiated intensive measures to combat honey fraud. However, it is not straightforward. Those responsible for producing honey substitutes are so advanced that even in laboratory settings, it is challenging to detect the forgery.

Nevertheless, a method has been discovered to expose these frauds. The President of the European Professional Beekeepers Association (EPBA) announced that "a DNA analysis was successfully conducted in Estonia."

A significant fraud was uncovered: out of 30 types of honey from German supermarkets (ranging from cheap to organic), 25 were adulterated with inexpensive sugar syrup! - reports "Bild."

The findings indicate that fructose syrup, produced by genetically modified bacteria, was added to the adulterated honey. It mimics bees' natural sugar profile.

Honey suppliers from Israel and the USA are marketing "bee-free" honey substitutes, touting them as produced in large facilities with the assurance of passing laboratory tests.

This so-called "vegan" honey is sold with claims of being bee-free, but it is unrelated to genuine honey and is actually tied to forbidden genetic engineering, stated Bernhard Heuvel, head of the Beekeepers Association, as quoted by "Bild."

This current situation threatens the future of European beekeepers, who increasingly struggle to compete with cheap, adulterated honey. To safeguard honest producers and consumers, EPBA, in collaboration with importers, the food trade, the European Commission, consumer protection organisations, and Europol, has initiated measures to tackle this issue. Investigations are ongoing, and the results will be released upon the inquiry's conclusion.

To avoid purchasing fake honey, Heuvel advises consumers to buy honey directly from local beekeepers or ensure it is sourced from Germany. Local producers often prioritise quality and transparency, making their products less vulnerable to adulteration.