Tests Show Most Honey Isn't Honey
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/
A couple of observations:
If you want to insure that the honey you're buying hasn't been processed, buy only comb honey.
The article talks about organic honey. I'm not an organic expert, but I thought that organic means that no pesticides were used in the production of the food in question. Bees can travel a distance of 2 miles or more in search of nectar (honey) and pollen. They do not have leashes on them limiting their foraging.
Wouldn't a 2 mile diameter would result in an area in excess of 3 miles? That would mean that the source of the nectar would have to be cerified pesticide free in a very large area. This could only be carried out in a large farm, and the hive could not be moved out of that area for even a short period of time- unless it was to another similar site.
I'm no expert on organic honey, either, but bees aren't going to travel further than is necessary to find a flower type that they like. So, if you put the hive in the middle of something like organically grown clover or buckwheat, you will get honey from organically grown flowers. Honeybees generally prefer to work on one type of flower at a time, so even if there is a small amount of non-organically grown flowers over in the next field, they will likely ignore them....
The article talks about organic honey. I'm not an organic expert, but I thought that organic means that no pesticides were used in the production of the food in question. Bees can travel a distance of 2 miles or more in search of nectar (honey) and pollen. They do not have leashes on them limiting their foraging.
Wouldn't a 2 mile diameter would result in an area in excess of 3 miles? That would mean that the source of the nectar would have to be cerified pesticide free in a very large area. This could only be carried out in a large farm, and the hive could not be moved out of that area for even a short period of time- unless it was to another similar site.
If you look closely at what you think is honey, much of it doesn't even claim to be honey (although they imply it). It actually says "HONEY (flavored syrup)", and by syrup they mean corn syrup. Even some of the places mentioned in the article are like that. For instance, the last time I went to KFC I asked for some butter and honey for my biscuit. They gave me a packet of margarine and a packet of honey flavored syrup.Yet another way for the high fructose corn syrup makers to corrupt the world's appetite for 'sweet'. Seems they find their way into any market that lacks regulation, inspection and oversight.
"Tupelos are valued as honey plants in the southeastern United States, particularly in the Gulf Coast region. They produce a very light, mild-tasting honey.
In northern Florida, beekeepers keep beehives along the river swamps on platforms or floats during tupelo bloom to produce certified tupelo honey, which commands a high price on the market because of its flavor.
Raw (unpasteurized) honey has the most health benefits. It has never been heated over 135 degrees. It is strained to remove the larger particles. It does not remain in a liquid state. It still contains pollen.
It is being used on large wounds on horses and other livestock because of its healing qualities. Our local vets are using it more and more. The honey must be unpasteurized. I have found that it controls infection in large wounds and the healed tissue has much less scarring. Zincoderm works almost as well but is much more costly.
I live in the "Honey Capital of Canada" and we are fortunate to be able to purchase raw honey from our local beekeepers.