Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the (a) amount and (b) proportion of mechanically dried honey sold as honey in the UK; and what steps he is taking to ensure that honey sold in the UK meets legal compositional standards.

The Department does not collect data on the amount and proportion of mechanically dried honey sold as honey in the UK. However, we do regularly collect UK honey import trade data.

The Government recognises the importance of protecting food standards and has set minimum quality standards for many foods, including honey. All honey on sale, regardless of where it comes from must comply with the Honey Regulations 2015 which set out detailed specifications of its composition, labelling, and quality criteria. These are robust standards which aim to protect honey, ensuring that it meets a set definition and characteristics.

Defra works closely with enforcement authorities who are responsible for enforcing our honey laws, the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) National Food Crime Unit, Food Standards Scotland’s (FSS) Food Crime and Incidents Unit, local and port health authorities, industry and others on investigating any potential fraud issues raised, to ensure honey sold in the UK meets our high standards and maintains a level playing field between honey producers. Enforcement authorities also routinely test honey for compliance with the honey regulations.

Defra and the FSA also support a programme of research dedicated to honey authenticity where it is actively working to provide information and guidance to those carrying out monitoring and enforcement checks on honey, to protect consumers and legitimate businesses.