Media sources reported that a third or more of the honey eaten in the US is likely to have been smuggled from China and is potentially tainted with illegal antibiotics and heavy metals. Research shows that millions of pounds of honey that has been deemed unsafe in dozens of countries are being imported and sold in record amounts.
Experts stated that some of the most recognized US honey packers knowingly buy mislabeled, transshipped or potentially altered honey so they are able to sell it at a lower cost than companies that require safety, quality and rigorously inspected honey.
Washington Legislative Chairman of the American Honey Producers Association Richard Adee said, “It’s no secret that the honey smuggling is being driven by money, the desire to save a couple of pennies a pound. These big packers are still using imported honey of uncertain safety that they know is illegal because they know their chances of getting caught are slim.”
After examining international and government shipping records, it was found that customs documents and interviews with North America’s top honey importers revealed the rampant honey laundering and record amount of Chinese honey being purchased by major US packers today.
The US Food and Drug Administration is working to resolve the issue.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I’m glad to learn that this issue has been addressed and officials are working to ensure the safety of our nation’s food sources. If you’ve been injured through the consumption of an unsafe food product, it may be in your best interests to call a product defect lawyer in your city.