A court ruling in Europe means that jars of honey in the UK must have their printed labels redone so that they list pollen as an ingredient.
It has always been accepted that honey is a natural product and therefore does not need to feature components, but the European Court of Justice has now decided that pollen is an ingredient rather than an intrinsic element.
Consequently, the peelable labels on all honey jars must be reprinted and manufacturers must be able to prove that the pollen contained within is not genetically modified.
Rowse Honey factory manager Patrick Robinson said the move is akin to saying peanuts contain nuts.
"Beekeepers don't put pollen in honey as an ingredient. Bees put it in there because it gets stuck to them when they are foraging," he added.
However, professor of anthropology and expert in palynology (pollen studies) Vaughn Bryant told Food Safety News that he would like to see individual types of pollen listed on honey labels so consumers can be sure they are supporting farmers and sustainable beekeeping.
Denny Bros Ltd, 08 November 2011
