New EU Rules to Crack Down on Honey Adulteration

The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement on the 'breakfast directive,' which aims to improve transparency regarding the origin of honey, a frequently adulterated food product. The current EU rules require honey pots to indicate the exact country of origin if the honey comes from one country. However, for blends of honey from different origins, labeling becomes confusing, with options like "blend of honey from EU and non-EU countries" or "blend of honey not originating from the EU." An EU study found that nearly half of all EU honey imports are likely fraudulent.

The new agreement stipulates that countries of origin must be clearly indicated on the label accompanying the product's name in descending order, based on weight. It also requires the percentage of honey coming from all countries to be indicated. Member states have the option to display the four most significant shares if they represent more than 50% of the blend's weight. Additionally, the European Commission will explore the feasibility of a system that allows consumers to trace honey back to its producers, with support from a panel of experts.

In addition to honey labeling, the 'breakfast directive' includes changes to rules for jams, marmalades, and fruit juices. It introduces new categories such as "Reduced-sugar fruit juice" for products with at least 30% of naturally occurring sugars removed. The directive also increases the minimum fruit content required for jams and marmalades. While there was a proposal for mandatory country of origin labeling for fruit used in these products, no agreement was reached, and a report on its impact will be prepared within 36 months of the directive's entry into force.