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Florida bans fake honey with first of its kind regulation
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The honey bear will be sent packing if he's not 100% pure.
One small step for honey, one giant leap for the Florida slow food movement.
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Charles H. Bronson, announced yesterday that his department instituted the first regulation in the nation -- and perhaps the world -- prohibiting any additives, chemicals or sweeteners in honey that is produced, processed or sold in Florida. The "Standard of Identity" for honey regulation will ensure that Floridians get nothing but 100% pure honey "resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees" from this day forward, so help us.
It seems a small battle to fight. I mean, come on. Are Central Floridians really that passionate about having nothing but pure honey on their store shelves? Can’t we just read the labels and choose like we’re forced to do now?
Florida, in general, has been ironically slow-as-honey to embrace the slow food movement concept – especially in tourist areas where chain restaurants and convenience foods prevail. But apparently there is strength in numbers. Florida is the fourth-leading honey producing state in the country, employing more than 500 Floridians, and bringing in cash receipts of more than $15 million in 2008. Not bad for a few million regurgitating bugs.
And as insignificant as this ground-breaking regulation may seem, it provides hope there will be more local and organic food choices in common grocery store chains across Florida sooner than expected. Which is very sweet, indeed.
Perhaps they'll consider banning maple-flavored syrup next. Until then you’ll have to keep reading labels.
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