El Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food last update of the new standard for honey. The objective of this is to provide greater transparency. Thus, it will improve the information offered to citizens about the the origin of this product.
In this way, the Spanish ministry attends to a consumer demand. Also from beekeeping sector and different public administrations. All parties involved requested greater clarity on the origin of honey. All this in a sector where Spain It is one of the main architects of European trade.
Greater transparency in labeling
This novelty represents an advance in the information on the the origin of this product. Until now it was only indicated in a generic way. The terms used were “honeys originating in the EU or non-EU”. From now on, it will be required that, in detail, the countries of origin. Furthermore, in the case of honey mixes of different origin, the porcentaje that each country contributes in the final composition.
Furthermore, the new standard for honey will establish the obligation to include in the labeled the mention "heat treated honey". It will be in all honeys subjected to a heat treatment higher than 45º C.
Another of the relevant changes of the project is to be able to use the voluntary mention "cold obtained". It will be in the case of those honeys that have not been subjected to a heat treatment. Thus in none of the obtaining or preparation phases.
The new standard for honey, in transition
Similarly, the norm contemplates granting a transitional period of 18 months. All this to market the stocks of packaged, marketed and labeled products that do not meet these new requirements. Thanks to this, the transition to this new labeling model.
The sector hopes that with this standard and its more consumer information fraud can be avoided with products marketed as honey or at their source.
