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Conrad Calls on FDA to Block Tainted Honey
North Dakota Ag Connection - 06/14/2007

Warning of potential health threats to consumers, Senator Kent Conrad Wednesday called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement stronger barriers that would prevent tainted honey from entering the country.

"Almost 70 percent of the honey consumed in our country is imported -- most of it from China. Unfortunately, China has a long track record of importing adulterated honey and engaging in other fraudulent conduct in the honey trade," Senator Conrad said. "These actions not only hurt honey producers in North Dakota and across the country, they also present needless health risks to our consumers."

In a bipartisan letter signed by 15 Senators, Senator Conrad also urged the FDA to act on a petition for a Standard of Identity for honey. A Standard of Identity would provide a uniform, legal definition of honey purity levels that would aid regulators. Imported honey is an ingredient found in a wide array of products including cereals, snacks, meats and beverages and is also a common ingredient in many health and beauty products.

In 2002 and 2003 the FDA and U.S. Customs seized multiple shipments of Chinese honey at U.S. ports which were contaminated with chloramphenicol, an antibiotic that is banned in food products in the United States because of its potentially life threatening effects.

More recently, there are reports that imported honey is being blended with sugars or being labeled as a blend to avoid U.S. duties. This honey is subsequently sold to U.S. processors as pure honey. A long-time supporter of North Dakota's honey producers, Senator Conrad recently called on the Secretary of Agriculture to address the growing problem of Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious condition destroying colonies of honeybees across the country.

North Dakota ranks number one among honey producing states in the nation.

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