Antibiotics in most honey brands

Scientists found high levels of six harmful antibiotics in 11 samples including  those made by Indian companies such as Dabur, Himalaya, Patanjali, Baidyanath and Khadi as well as by two foreign companies based in Switzerland and Australia except only the Indian Hitkari brand coming out clean.

The contamination begins when antibiotics are fed to bees to prevent disease which, promote growth and increase honey production to meet commercial targets. These substances could damage the blood, kidneys, liver, bones and teeth. More importantly, they create resistance in the body to prescribed antibiotics when you really do fall ill.

Dabur Honey, which has captured 75 per cent of the Indian market had the antibiotic Oxytetracycline at nine times the level that is permitted for exported honey. It also had significant amounts of two other drugs completely banned for use in honey. If the sample was placed for export to the United States or the European Union, it would have been rejected.

Nectaflor Natural Blossom Honey, made by Narimpex of Switzerland, had the largest number five of the six antibiotics that it was tested for, including the highest levels of ampicillin and erythromycin, both of which are not permitted for beekeeping in any country. It would be illegal to sell it even in Switzerland itself. Similarly, the Australian brand, Capilano Pure & Natural Honey, which is sold in 40 countries, violated standards set in its home country.

It is clear that foreign companies are taking advantage of the lack of regulations in India. After all, if our government does not care about the health of its people, why should these companies care? said CSE director, Sunita Narain.

Source: Sunita Narain, Director, Pollution Monitoring Laboratory, Centre for Science and Environment