Not all honey is ethically and transparently sourced!
Most imported and domestic honey is from high-quality, legal sources. But some honey brokers and importers illegally circumvent tariffs and quality controls, selling honey to U.S. companies that is of questionable origin. This threatens the U.S. honey industry by undercutting fair market prices and damaging honey's reputation for quality and safety. The True Source Honey Initiative is an effort by a number of honey companies and importers to call attention to the problem of illegally sourced honey. Learn More »
True Source Honey Pledge
We pledge to protect our customers and consumers, as well as the global reputation of honey products, by ensuring to our utmost ability that honey is ethically sourced in a transparent and traceable manner from known beekeepers and brokers; that honey moves through the supply chain in full accordance with U.S. law and without circumvention of trade duties; that it carries truthful labeling as to its source, has
been tested to ensure quality, and has been handled in a safe and secure manner from
hive to table.
READ ENTIRE PLEDGE
Honest Fast Facts
You can make a difference! Whether you're a consumer who loves honey, or a company that helps supply honey or makes products using honey, you can support the True Source Honey initiative.
We invite consumers, honey companies, food manufacturers and others to join the True Source Honey movement. Click below to learn how!
- Honey Lovers (Consumers)
- Honey Companies/Packers
- Honey Business Customers (Wholesalers, Retailers, Food Manufacturers and Food Service Brokers)
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To report suspicious offers/honey shipments,
go to the allegations page of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The report can be anonymous.
Recent Updates
- True Source Honey Applauds Recent Actions To Stop Illegal Trade
9/2/10 — The True Source Honey Initiative applauds actions yesterday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice to pursue leads in stemming the tide of illegally imported honey. Yesterday’s indictment is the largest in a string of federal actions in the past two years directed at stopping illegal trade in honey. If convicted, some of the executives could face more than 20 years in prison. READ MORE - What are the goals of the True Source Honey initiative?
We created "True Source Honey" to call attention to the issue of some honey trade that circumvents U.S. law, potentially calling into question the reputation of all honey sold in the United States. READ MORE - Why are you launching True Source Honey now?
The True Source Honey member companies have been working together on this initiative since the first honey trade circumvention scheme was uncovered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May 2008. The problem continues even as more companies are indicted on honey laundering charges. READ MORE - How can I tell if the honey I buy is "True Source Honey"?
We'll be working on ways to further identify True Source Honey in the future. In the meantime, we are seeking regulatory standards and other steps that we hope will quickly lead to all honey sold in this country as "honest". READ MORE
