I bookmarked this post from Fair Food Fight ages ago after following a link from Twitter. I keep meaning to post it, but keep getting a little overwhelmed by the information.
“The honey trade is anything but simple, however, namely because the U.S. is so dependent on foreign honey – 60-70% of our honey is imported, much of it from China. Making matters worse, in 2002, 2003, and 2007, U.S. Customs seized multiple Chinese honey shipments that were tainted with antibiotics banned in the U.S., including chloramphenicol, a chemical that has been linked to serious blood disorders.”
Both the blog post and the series over at the Seattle P.I. – Honey Laundering – are worth the time to read. The information about labeling (it’s the usual news… labels don’t mean jack) is an especially good reminder that we shouldn’t necessarily be paying more for something labeled “organic” or “pure”.
The good news is… local honey! Small farms, small batches. No offense, little squeezy bear, that just sounds better to me.
I know of three in the mid-valley, though I’m sure there are others.Please leave a comment if you are, or know of, a local honey producer.
Olsen Honey Farms — no website that I can find, but you’ll see these guys around with a white trailer. Lately they have been at the Albany Farmers Market.
You know… I really shouldn’t write these types of posts before I have breakfast. *growl*
