Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the goals of True Source Honey, LLC?
- When was True Souce Honey LLC, started?
- How can I tell if the honey I buy is "True Source Honey"?
- Is "True Source Honey" better or safer than other honey?
- Why should I care about companies that don't abide by U.S. trade laws?
- What can I do to help U.S. beekeepers and honey companies?
- How much honey does the U.S. import and from whom?
- What is honey?
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. "True Source Honey" helps protect customers who use honey in their food and beverage products, as well as consumers who buy table honey or other products that contain honey. As "True Source Honey" suppliers, we pledge to protect the reputation of honey by ensuring to our utmost ability that honey is ethically and legally sourced in a transparent and traceable manner, as well as the other steps outlined in our pledge.
When was True Souce Honey LLC, started?
The True Source Honey, LLC 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.
How can I tell if the honey I buy is "True Source Honey"?
Honey that has been True Source Certified, will have the True Source certified logo on the bottle - or the company will be listed on www.tshmember.com. Visit the site today to find out if you favorite honey is True Source Certified
Isn’t honey also in cereal and granola bars?
Honey is an ingredient in many of the foods you buy at the grocery store including cereals, breads, cookies, crackers, breakfast bars, meats, salad dressings, barbeque sauces, mustards, beverages, ice creams, yogurts and candies.
Is "True Source Honey" better or safer than other honey?
Unfortunately today, some honey is imported into this country in circumvention of trade laws, and – by extension – sometimes quality and safety assurances. Specifically, imported honey originating from China is being transshipped through other countries to circumvent the U.S. duty. When you don't know the origin of the honey, it's difficult to be assured of its quality. For example, an antibiotic that has been banned in the United States has sometimes been found in imported honey originating from China. Other honey is found to contain added syrups or sweetener extenders that are not made by bees in the hive.
"True Source Honey" companies pledge to truthfully label honey as to its origin, have transparent record of the honey's sources, and test honey to be sure it has not been adulterated with added syrups or other sweetener extenders, or inappropriate additives in honey production. Honey has earned a special place in people's hearts and minds as a wholesome, natural food. We want to protect that reputation and quality.
Why should I care about companies that don't abide by U.S. trade laws?
True Source Honey, LLC estimates that the U.S. lost up to $100 million in 2008 and $106 million in 2009 in uncollected duties because of illegal honey imports. Furthermore, as honey companies are undercut by these illegal imports, ethical U.S. companies and beekeepers find it harder to compete. Quality U.S. honey operations are essential not just to produce high-quality honey supplies, but also for the honeybees needed to pollinate dozens of fruit, vegetable and seed crops across the United States. Lastly, consumers and food manufacturers that count on honey are not always getting the quality product they deserve.
What can I do to help U.S. beekeepers and honey companies?
We're asking people who buy and love honey to find out more about how their honey is sourced. Some honey imported into the U.S. comes from illegal sources, is mislabeled and is of inferior quality. The sources should be known, trusted and transparent. Consumers can write letters to companies asking how they source honey. Companies can double-check that the company they work with to import honey is not skirting U.S. law, and is of high quality. And food companies and retailers can ask their suppliers about how they source honey. We have a lot of good information on www.TrueSourceHoney.com.
How much honey does the U.S. import, and from whom?
In 2009, the U.S. produced only about 144 million pounds of the 382 million pounds of honey consumed. To make up the difference between U.S. honey production and consumption, we rely on honey from other countries, including Canada, Argentina and Brazil, among other countries.
What is honey?
Honey is the natural, sweet substance produced by honey bees from the nectar of plants. Honey is primarily composed of fructose, glucose and water. It also contains other sugars as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. The color of honey varies from nearly colorless to dark brown. The consistency can be fluid, viscous, or partly to entirely crystallized. The flavor and aroma vary, but are derived from the plant origin. For more information about honey, visit the National Honey Board's Web site at www.honey.com.
Honey Fast Facts
- Per capita consumption of honey in America is 1.1 pounds per year.1
Read all Fast Facts » - In 2009, the U.S. produced only about 144 million pounds of the 382 million pounds of honey consumed.2
Read all Fast Facts » - Bee Culture magazine accurately predicted that the 2009 honey crop would be the worst on record.3
Read all Fast Facts » - To make up the difference between U.S. honey production and consumption, we rely on honey from other countries, including Canada, Argentina and Brazil, among other countries.4
Read all Fast Facts » - There are 210,000 beekeepers in the U.S.5
Read all Fast Facts » - A Penn State College of Medicine research team found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications.6
Read all Fast Facts » - Bees may travel as far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.7
Read all Fast Facts » - There are more than 300 unique kinds of honey in the United States, originating from such diverse floral sources as Clover, Eucalyptus and Orange Blossoms.8
Read all Fast Facts » - Honey is primarily composed of fructose, glucose and water. It also contains other sugars as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.9
Read all Fast Facts » - Lighter colored honeys are mild in flavor, while darker honeys are usually more robust in flavor.10
Read all Fast Facts » - The color and flavor of honeys differ depending on the nectar source (the blossoms) visited by the honey bees. The color ranges from nearly colorless to dark brown.11
Read all Fast Facts » - Fifty percent of the population buys honey for direct consumption, while 75 percent of the population consumes honey as an ingredient in teas, breads, salad dressings and BBQ sauces, among other food items.12
Read all Fast Facts » - Almost a quarter of the 210 million pounds of honey imported by the United States was from countries who have no existing commercial honey export business.13
Read all Fast Facts »
