A Wisconsin beekeeper says it’s time for clearer definitions and fairer trade in the honey market. James Hillemeyer, vice president of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association and co-owner of L.B. Works in Plover, says consumers deserve to know what’s really in their jars.
“There’s actually no current legal definition of honey,” Hillemeyer explains. “When you go to the store and see the label ‘honey,’ my idea is something produced by a honeybee, but there are adulterated honeys mixed with other sweeteners or imported products that aren’t clearly labeled.”
Hillemeyer says imported honey has flooded the U.S. market, undercutting domestic producers who face higher labor and production costs.
“Unfortunately, many beekeepers are being forced to sell honey at or below cost because there’s such a glut of imported honey coming from other countries,” he says. “We’re just asking for a fair fight.”
Hillemeyer and others are pushing for a legal definition of honey and stronger labeling rules to protect both consumers and producers.
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