Florida bans anything but pure honey

Tribune file photo by FRED BELLET (2008)

"Too often in the past, honey has been cut with water or sugar, and sometimes even contaminated with insecticides or antibiotics," said Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Tbo.com
Published: July 13, 2009
Updated: July 13, 2009 - 4:48 PM

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TALLAHASSEE --

Anyone in Florida who tries to pass off honey as 100 percent pure when it has additives or other ingredients could find themselves in a sticky situation.

Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson announced Monday that his department is instituting a regulation that prohibits additives, chemicals or adulterants in honey produced, processed or sold in Florida unless consumers are clearly told what else is in it.

Bronson said, "Too often in the past, honey has been cut with water or sugar, and sometimes even contaminated with insecticides or antibiotics."

The regulation takes effect Tuesday and says honey must contain only the "natural food product resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees."

Bronson said if producers mix honey with other products, it can be sold, but must be clearly labeled as a blended product.