It seems incredible to realize that about one-third of the human diet comes from insect pollinated plants and that honeybees are responsible for 80% of the pollination. In addition to their pollination benefits, honeybees produce honey, which is the only food humans consume that is produced by an insect. Organic honey is produced by bee apiaries in habitats that are far more controlled than are habitats that produce regular honey.
Organic Honey Standards
For honey to be certified as organic it must be produced by honeybees whose only sources of nectar, honeydew, or pollen come from organic sources. Since bees normally travel up to 3 km, about 2 miles, for gathering the nectar for honey production, the apiary must be placed on land that is organically maintained without insecticides, pesticides, and antibiotics. Additionally, there should be a buffer zone between the organic habitat and nearby land on which chemicals are used. Any replacement bees introduced to the apiary must come from organically maintained hives. Care must be taken when handling the honey comb, and any surfaces that come in contact with the honey should be coated with beeswax or made of food-grade material. The honey should not be heated above 35 degrees Celsius and only gravitational settling should be used to remove solids from the honey.
Benefits of Organic Honey
Many people want to be cautious when consuming foods or offering food items to their family and friends. Organic honey is free from potentially harmful insecticides, drugs, and other chemicals commonly used in the production of non-organic honey. Further, the habitat and hives maintained by organic beekeepers contribute to a healthier planet.
Lack of Pesticides
Many people are sensitive to commercial pesticides and insecticides that are commonly used on flowers and flowering crops. Honey can become contaminated by pesticides in a variety of ways. For one, if plants are sprayed the honeybees can pick it up when they visit the plant. Also, honeybees may be sprayed directly when the field is sprayed. Further, the water near the plants may be contaminated and the honeybees may pick up the pesticide from the water. In an organically controlled field pesticides are not used and the honeybees will not pick up contamination when they leave the hive and visit the field.
Lack of Antibiotics
In non-organic apiaries antibiotics are administered to the bees to protect them from diseases. However, the typical veterinary antibiotics that are used such as chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and sulfonamides are potentially harmful to many humans. Large doses of these antibiotics can cause cancer and aplastic anemia. In Europe all three antibiotics are banned while only chloramphenicol has been banned in America. China, for example, still uses chloramphenicol. In organic apiaries the queen, the workers, and the drones are kept healthy so that antibiotics are not necessary.
Lack of Pasteurization
Good organic honey is known to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well as to contain antioxidants and a range of phytonutrients. However, the heating involved in pasteurization dissipates the benefits of the antioxidants and phytonutrients. The honey that is produced by the hives of top organic beekeepers is generally so fine that it does not need to be filtered or treated.
Bees Are Not Routinely Killed
Producers of conventional honey generally kill the bees in the hive when they harvest the honey because it is easier to do so and because it would be an added expense to maintain the hives over the winter. Organic beekeepers, however, generally maintain their bees rather than to start over each year with an expensive new population of certified organic bees.
Where to Find Organic Honey
At least 16 states in the U.S. are able to produce reliable organic honey. Additionally, Canada, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Zambia, and New Zealand have ranges where organic honey is produced.
Wherever you buy organic honey you can feel confident that the product is generally safer than non-organic honey and that the live beehives and their habitat are contributing to a healthier planet.
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