Until Wednesday, the amber liquid present in an average Indian kitchen was associated with purity, nature and health benefits. Kids could only relate it to the kind images of Winnie the Pooh with his paw stuck in the pot. However, post-Wednesday things have changed, and this amber liquid has become a subject matter of great concern to an average health-conscious person. It has become a curious case for investigation by the stakeholders and the concerned government authorities.
In a stinging revelation, Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment?s (CSE) Pollution Monitoring Laboratory has unveiled that most honey brands?both indigenous and imported?being sold in the country are tainted with multiple antibiotics. A total of 12 brands, accounting for over 95% of India?s honey market, were analysed and 11 were found to be ?unfit? for export purposes but ?fit? for domestic consumption. The irony in this entire saga lies in the dual standards set by the concerned authorities for domestic and foreign consumers. According to the WHO, chronic exposure to antibiotics leads to blood-related disorders. This has led to its complete ban in food products in Europe and the US. More importantly, consumption of food infested with antibiotics can induce drug-resistance ultimately leading to the evolution of the much-controversial superbugs.
Asia is the largest honey producer accounting for almost 40% of the global production. Developed countries? honey consumption is generally higher than than their developing counterparts. India produces about 65,000 tonnes of honey annually, of which about about 25,000 tonnes are exported to more than 42 countries including the EU, the Middle East and the US. China is the world?s largest producer with an annual production of 0.3 million tonnes.
The CSE, which had earlier tested colas for pesticides and toys for poisonous chemicals has revealed that the maximum number of antibiotics (5 out of 6) was detected in Switzerland?s Nectaflor Natural Blossom Honey, which had the highest levels of ampicillin and erythromycin, both of which are not permitted for beekeeping in any country. Similarly, Australian brand Capilano Pure & Natural Honey, sold in 40 countries, violated even the standards set in its home country. Why this should happen is not clear since it would suggest that foreign honey suppliers are producing different honey varieties for exports.
But why is it that this adulterated gift of nature has found a place for itself on a householder?s table? The CSE study points out that it?s mainly due to a shift in the biodiversity of bees. The Indian bees (Apis cerana and Apis dorsata) have been completely replaced by the European bee (Apis mellifera), which has now started showing signs of overexploitation across the world, including India. Furthermore, the trade of honey collection has changed from small producers to large cartels of honey producers.
The bitter truth about sweet honey has once again reinvigorated our concerns regarding food safety and its impact on health and international trade. Given that each honey sample had a cocktail of antibiotics, fingers are being pointed towards a honey-laundering scam, i.e., transshipment of honey through third nations to avoid anti-dumping duties. In the recent past, there have been various instances in which countries have been indulged in such scams. In the most recent incident in September, the US justice department chargesheeted 15 individuals and 6 corporate entities. It was also alleged that an Indian trans-shipper was involved that exported 180 consignments of Chinese honey (under the guise of Indian honey) worth over $10 million between March 2002 and October 2006. Whether these speculations are true or not, time (and probably another JPC) will only tell.