FOCUS ON FRAUD AND ADULTERATION OF IMPORTED HONEY: EUROPEAN COMMISSION INVESTIGATION "FROM THE HIVES": FINDINGS TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2023

In March 2023, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) published a report which concluded that 46% of honey imported into the single market from third countries was suspected of not complying with EU legislation.

As part of the European Commission's "from the hives" operation, launched in October 2021, this investigation led to the publication of a report on 23 March 2023 highlighting the following data

Out of 320 samples taken from 123 exporters (see method in the European Commission communication document attached):

70 of them were reported to have exported batches of honey suspected of being adulterated with foreign sugars.

Of the 96 EU importers concerned, two thirds (63) were found to have imported at least one suspect consignment.

Of the sixty-three operators involved in the import of at least one suspect consignment, forty-four have been investigated further to date, seven of whom have already been
sanctioned (March 2023). "Extract from the conclusions of the investigation": for more information, follow the link.

This investigation is contributing to the European regulatory developments relating to the labelling of honey in the context of the "Breakfast" directive currently being drawn up.

More information after the vote scheduled for December 2023 in the European Parliament: to be continued.

EU COORDINATED ACTION "FROM THE HIVES" SAMPLING, INVESTIGATIONS AND RESULTS October 2021/March 2023