The Coalition of Beekeepers Association (COABA), in the Brong Ahafo Region, have raised concerns about the sale of adulterated honey, being sold on the open markets, across the country.
The Group noted that the development threatens the sustenance of their business since consumers are beginning to shun the patronage of local honey, as a result of the adulteration scare.
This dietary fraud, which they said have become a common practice, is carried out by adding external chemical substances to the honey. These substances include ‘inexpensive’ sweeteners such as corn syrups, high fructose corn syrups, invert syrups or high fructose inulin syrups.
But the composition of honey has been shown to depend largely on its floral source and also varies greatly according to its geographical origin.
Honey can be used as a natural sweetening agent without further processing while it is also considered as one of the sweetest natural foods, in terms of its nourishment and therapeutic properties.
It can be used as food, for religious ceremonies, and as medicine for both humans and animals. It also serves to feed animals and for sweetening drugs for children.
However, the corned beekeepers said the adulteration affects the quality of the honey, and thus have become a worry to many consumers as well as regulatory authorities in view of the fact that it is not easy to detect.
The leadership of COABA, following this development, have said they are pursuing an advocacy action for the regulation and standardization of honey production and marketing in the Brong Ahafo Region.
According to the Group, this is being done with funding from the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC Fund) and their partners, USAID, EU, and DANIDA.
They, therefore, have called for the enforcement of quality and standards by relevant stakeholder institutions; development of a national honey policy and strategy and market development for the honey business.
