Bee sure it’s local honey
TASMANIANS worried about purity should stick to locally produced honey, beekeepers say.
A joint ABC-Fairfax investigation yesterday published findings based on independent scientific testing that purportedly found nearly half of blended (local and imported) honey samples from Australian supermarket shelves were “adulterated” — mixed with something other than bee nectar.
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lindsay Bourke said Australian honey was among the best in the world, and Tasmanian honey was the best.
“Look for Tasmanian [honey] first, that’s the main thing … Tasmanian honey is by far the best honey in the world,” he said.
“The other thing is to look at the labelling, whether it’s 100 per cent Australian or not.”
Most brands tested in the investigation contained honey from Australia and China, and almost half the samples detected adulteration in one type of test, known as NMR screening, but passed the standard Australian C4 sugar test.
Mr Bourke said NMR was “the best way to test honey”, and said more imported honey should be tested.
“Presently only 5 per cent of the honey that comes in is tested,” he said.
Wellington Apiary’s Antonia O’Brien, who, with husband Robin, produces about 15 tonnes of honey a year, said Tasmanian honey was pure.
“We don’t have pests and diseases so we don’t have to treat our hives with any chemicals. You can’t get any more pure honey than that.”