Industrial honey, this product made in a factory without a single bee…?

Honey, this ancient food with therapeutic properties, is currently at the heart of a controversy. On supermarket shelves, some jars presented as “honey” no longer come from beehives, but from industrial production lines. Made without the intervention of bees, these synthetic honeys lack the benefits associated with the real nectar and often mislead consumers, who do not always have reliable information to distinguish the authentic from the artificial.

The unique properties of natural honey

True honey, produced by bees, is prized for its numerous health benefits. Its natural composition makes it a food with precious properties, difficult to reproduce in a laboratory.

• A powerful antibacterial agent  : Hydrogen peroxide, released by enzymes in honey, gives it antibacterial properties. Thanks to its low water content (between 17 and 18%), its acidic pH (between 3.2 and 4.5), and its concentration of glucose oxidase, honey prevents the proliferation of bacteria.
• A healing agent  : Applied to wounds or burns, honey helps cleanse the skin and promotes healing. Its osmotic effect, combined with its antimicrobial properties, accelerates the healing process.
• Natural antioxidant  : Rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, honey protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, thus preserving health and helping to prevent certain diseases.
• Soothes sore throats and aids digestion  : Used to soothe the throat and as an expectorant, honey also soothes digestive disorders and regulates transit, relieving discomforts such as diarrhea or ulcers.
• Natural energy source  : The natural sugars in honey, which are quickly assimilated, make it an ally for athletes, helping to restore energy reserves and facilitating muscle recovery.

However, the unique characteristics of natural honey are absent from so-called “industrial honey” products, often manufactured in Asia and produced without any bees.

Fake honey produced by the industry

The jars of honey available in supermarkets can sometimes be misleading. Approximately 30% of them, particularly those of Asian origin, contain artificial additives that mimic honey without offering its natural benefits. These products are the result of industrial processes that produce honey without bee intervention, often at low cost and in large quantities.

Introduction of artificial antibiotics into imported honeys

In the early 2000s, honey produced in China for export was frequently diluted with water to increase its volume, but this dilution risked causing fermentation during transport. To circumvent this problem, some manufacturers added artificial antibiotics, giving the illusion of a stable and therapeutic product. The fraud was discovered in 2002, leading to a temporary ban on the import of Chinese honey into Europe.