Eric Brown wrote:

>  but that all the 
> same standards (including flight radius/wood preservative/wax foundation 
> restrictions) apply if you want to use the word “organic”, and you could be 
> subject to auditing (by whom, I don’t know) if you use the word.  

There are no USDA standards that describe organic honey that have been 
approved. The label regulations are for all organic produce under the act.

You have two things here. One is the liable standards, which concerns 
the product's level of organicity (Shakespeare could invent words so why 
not I?). The other is the product must meet standards to be defined 
organic. It is the latter where we have trouble.

Check the standards and you will not find honey mentioned. It was a part 
of a recent group that included standards for greenhouses, mushrooms and 
some other things. The others came to agreement, but as far as I know, 
honey is still an orphan, at least according to the USDA website.

The "subject to auditing" is also key in all this. Large commodities and 
producers will be audited, but small operations (like beekeeping) will 
fall through the cracks. It just costs too much to audit. The only 
policing will come from State Organic organizations, and here, too, 
beekeepers are small fry. A wave over the records and all is well. There 
will be no honey analysis, since it will show nothing and cost too much.

To me, that is the essence of the problem. Organic honey is no different 
than the majority of all other honey from the same nectar source in 
chemical makeup, purity and quality when handled the same. So what does 
the label really give the consumer?

The opportunity for abuse is much too great, in my opinion (and experience).

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---