---

Feature Article: Using DNA to Search for the True Origins of Imported Honey

Have you ever wondered where the honey you add to your morning tea and drizzle on your desserts or oatmeal comes from (besides bees)? The easy answer would be to check the label, which typically offers the country of origin along with all those wonderful nutritional benefits. Unfortunately, as the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) knows all too well, sometimes labels can be misleading, especially when it comes to honey imported into the U.S. Honey imports have nearly doubled in the last decade—from 251 million pounds in 2010 to 416 million pounds in 2019—which is great news for consumers who now have more access to some of the sweetest stuff on earth. However, this tremendous growth in demand also has a dark side that many might not know about; adulteration and mislabeling of honey to hide its true origin have become a global issue. What does this mean for shoppers and our economy? Well, illicit importers, who are economically motivated to evade tariffs or sanctions, have made it a practice to affix fake labels onto jars, indicating the honey is from a different country of origin or disguising cheaper honey as sought-after expensive types. Some illicit actors even dilute honey with ingredients like syrups and sugar. New Zealand Manuka honey, for example, commands a high price on the market, up to 100 times higher than other honey types, as it is very in-demand for its putative health benefits; it is also one of the most adulterated types of honey. In a recent lawsuit, U.S. beekeepers claimed adulterated honey from Asia caused prices to plummet and forced them into financial ruin. READ THE FULL STORY →

Having trouble viewing this message? *View it as a webpage.

You are subscribed to updates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

*Manage Subscriptions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Help

Connect with DHS:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

www.dhs.gov

---

U.S. Department of Homeland Security · www.dhs.gov · 202-282-8000

This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally