Media outlets reported that more than a third of the honey consumed in the US was likely smuggled from China and is potentially contaminated with illegal antibiotics and heavy metals. Studies show that millions of pounds of honey that was deemed unsafe in dozens of European countries are now being imported to the US and sold in record amounts.
Experts said that some of the largest US honey packers knowingly buy mislabeled, transshipped or potentially altered honey so they can sell it at a lower price than companies that require safety, quality and rigorously inspected honey.
Washington Legislative Chairman of the American Honey Producers Association Richard Adee said, “It’s no secret that the honey smuggling is being driven by money, the desire to save a couple of pennies a pound. These big packers are still using imported honey of uncertain safety that they know is illegal because they know their chances of getting caught are slim.”
After going over international and government shipping records, it was discovered that customs documents and interviews with North America’s biggest honey importers unveiled the rampant honey laundering and staggering amount of Chinese honey being bought by major US packers today.
The US Food and Drug Administration is currently working to resolve the problem.
, I’m pleased to learn that this problem has been addressed and officials are working to ensure the safety of our nation’s food sources. If the consumption of an unsafe food product has injured you, it may be in your best interests to contact a personal injury lawyer in your area.
