Groceries
Clear information about the origin of honey soon mandatory
It is often difficult to say where the popular golden yellow spread comes from: there are only vague names on the glass. Supermarket customers will soon get more view.
It is “delicate-fluid” or “creamy string type”: at honey, some properties are very precisely on the glasses. In terms of origin, however, the labels have often only said: mixture “from EU countries and non-EU countries”. Such vague information will soon have to become more concrete according to a European directive, namely with the countries of origin depending on the weight of the weight. The Federal Ministry of Nutrition is now launching a regulation for national implementation. Consumer advocates welcome this to be overdue and remind other mandatory origin information.
Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) told the German Press Agency: “With the exact original specification, every glass of honey is clear where the honey comes from. That is the transparency we need.” A clear labeling for consumers ensures fairness in competition and also makes it easier for everyone to choose domestic products.
Previous labeling “for extraterrestrials”?
In principle, the country of origin must be specified, as an EU directive has already stated. However, if the glass content comes from several countries, it can also be a flat rate for the entire honey mix: from the 27 EU countries, from “non-EU countries” around the globe or a “mixture of honey from EU countries and non-EU countries”.
The consumer organization Foodwatch has been complaining for a long time: “Such a label may be interesting for extraterrestrials.” Because that does not say more than “origin: planet earth”. Information such as “from Latin America” or “Chile, Guatemala and Uruguay” are somewhat more specific.
However, a mandatory land label for mixtures is now introduced, as a ministry spokesman explained. And the countries must be specified in a descending order of their share and in addition to the weight share in percent. A single country of origin must be specified as before without a percentage, for example “honey from Germany”.
New rules should grip from mid -2026
The guideline decided at the EU level in 2024 must be implemented in German law by December 14th. The new regulations on June 14, 2026 should come into force. “What has been manufactured, filled and marked by the deadline according to the previous requirements can also be sold after the deadline,” explained the ministry spokesman. A transition period of 24 months had been created for the economy.
Foodwatch managing director Chris Methmann said to the new regulations: “A transparent identification of origin at honey is long overdue.” Consumers wanted to know where their food comes from. “No matter whether honey or any other product: the origin of the main ingredients should be a mandatory information on all food packs.” There must be consistent controls against “honey pansching” with sugar syrup, for example.
Germany is honey importing country
The background to honey mixtures is also in general that domestic production does not cover the demand. Last year, the degree of self -suffering fell by 5 percentage points to 37 percent, as can be seen from data from the Ministry of Agriculture. 72,600 tons were imported. The most important countries of origin after quantity were Ukraine (22 percent), Argentina (14 percent), Romania and Mexico (7 percent each).
According to industry, mixing honey different origins ensures a reliable product in taste, consistency and quality. However, the honey association of importers and fillers generally explained that the new more precise markings would have nothing to do with the quality. “After all, bees always produce honey – regardless of national borders.”
dpa
Source: Stern
