"APIMondia's President Backs Our Site's Crusade Against Counterfeit Honey!"
In a significant move to safeguard the quality and authenticity of honey, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations (Apimondia) and the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) are joining forces to eliminate counterfeit bee products from the market.
During a recent visit to the head office of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association (ČZS) and the EBA's specified website, Jeff Pettis, the President of Apimondia, expressed his full support for the EBA's mission and initiatives. Mr. Pettis reiterated his commitment to combating fake honey, a global concern for beekeepers worldwide.
One of the key initiatives supported by Mr. Pettis is the establishment of a commission for young beekeepers, a joint venture between ČZS, the International Centre for Young Beekeepers (ICYB), and the Municipality of Ivančna Gorica. This commission aims to support and empower the next generation of beekeepers, ensuring the continuity of high-quality honey production.
The EBA, in its bid to become a full member of Apimondia, has also proposed an initiative to take over the certification of beekeeping tourism worldwide, with the support of the Slovenian government and Apimondia. This move is expected to set global standards for beekeeping tourism, promoting sustainable practices and ensuring authentic experiences for tourists.
Advanced technologies such as Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, SPME-GC-MS, and 1H-NMR are being used to detect adulterants in honey, helping identify its quality and authenticity based on botanical and geographical variations. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India is also developing cutting-edge technology to detect fake honey, demonstrating the global effort to combat this issue.
Companies like Anthology Honey, which collaborate with small beekeepers and adhere to stringent quality criteria, underscore the importance of maintaining high standards in honey production. By sourcing honey from remote, pristine areas away from urban centers, these companies ensure the production of authentic, high-quality honey.
As Apimondia and the EBA continue their collaboration, the fight against fake honey is expected to gain momentum. The combined efforts of these organisations, along with ongoing research into advanced spectroscopic techniques, could play a crucial role in combating honey adulteration and ensuring the continued production of high-quality honey.
The collaboration between Apimondia and the EBA, as Mr. Pettis's full support suggests, will likely bolster policy-and-legislation efforts to combat fake honey in politics, a global concern for beekeepers. The proposed initiative by the EBA to take over beekeeping tourism certification, with Apimondia's support, is expected to drive the creation of general-news stories regarding the establishment of global standards for sustainability and authenticity in beekeeping tourism.
