Almost half the honey on Irish supermarket shelves is likely to be adulterated with sugar syrups and additives, or sourced from countries not properly identified on labels, according to new research.
A paper published by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) outlines how new EU-wide labelling laws coming into force before the middle of 2026 will see more clarity in the market, although its author has warned that prices are also likely to climb when the new rules are in place.
A Sticky Situation: Fraudulent Honey in the EU, written by Emma Richardson and published by the IIEA, shines a light on the state of honey production in Europe and pinpoints challenges posed by fraud for both consumers and producers.
It highlights one EU-wide study which suggested that 46 per cent of honey samples collected at EU border checks were suspicious, with honey originating from China and Turkey among those found to have the highest rates of concern.
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The global honey market produces around 2 million metric tonnes annually. While Europe is the second-largest honey producer globally, it is only 60 per cent self-sufficient and is dependent on imports to meet consumer demand.
In Ireland, over 200 tonnes is produced domestically, with in excess of 8,000 tonnes imported to meet the country’s needs.
In her paper, Ms Richardson highlights recent updates to the EU directives which aim to improve honey labelling and combat fraud. The new rules include mandatory origin labelling, improved traceability, and the prohibition of adulteration practices.
For Irish consumers, this will mean that honey jars in supermarkets will no longer be labelled with “blend of EU honeys”, “blend of non-EU honeys”, or “blend of EU and non-EU honeys”, but with clearer details of exact origins, which can be traced and analysed by appropriate authorities.
The paper also examined honey fraud’s impact on Ireland’s 4,000 beekeepers, noting that cheaper, adulterated imports pose a threat to domestic producers.
It indicates that fraudulent honey can be problematic for health, and undermine the market for locally-made honey, which has a shorter shelf life and higher production costs.
“Excessive sugar syrups can cause public health problems including obesity and diabetes, and is undermining the integrity of the European single market,” Ms Richardson said.
The paper notes that, while accurate origin labelling on honey will help prevent fraud, price remains the top priority when it comes to consumer behaviour.
Ms Richardson said the new rules “might increase the price of production and packaging” but asked if people “want to know where [their] food is from and if it is legitimate or do [they] just want to pay the cheaper price and cover [their] eyes?”
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