From the Canadian Honey Coucil (CHC)

Honey recall highlights danger of counterfeits

By Anthony Fletcher
27/10/2005 - The discovery of veterinary medicine residues in a UK brand
of
honey has again underlined the potential threat posed by counterfeit
products.

Distributor Morris & Sons is removing Natural Choice Brand Pure Clear
Honey
from supermarket shelves after elements of chloramphenicol and
sulphonamide
were detected. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported that the honey
was
adulterated with invert syrup, and is said to have an odd taste. As
such, the
FSA considers the honey to be a counterfeit product.

This underlines a worrying trend. The amount of fake food and drinks
entering
the EU grew by 200 per cent last year. By comparison the average growth
of all
faked goods, including cigarettes, cosmetics, clothes, toys, grew by 12
per
cent.

Counterfeiting and tampering can undermine consumers trust in the
quality and
safety of a branded food product, leading to a loss in market share.
And,
as in
this case, can pose a potential threat to health.

Both chloramphenicol and sulphonamide are illegal. Chloramphenicol,
which
it is
thought could cause cancer, can also lead to aplastic anaemia in
susceptible
people.

Exposure to chloramphenicol in food in any quantity is undesirable, but
the
level of risk will depend on how much is consumed and how frequently.

Chloramphenicol has been banned in Europe for use on animals since 1994
and it
is illegal for it to be in honey. The presence of sulphonamide in honey
is
also
illegal.

The FSA has now issued a Food Alert for Action, giving details of the
affected
product. The brand of honey is packaged in a glass jar with a gold screw
top
lid. On the front of the jar is a label, which is yellow in colour with
a
honeycomb effect background.

The words 'Natural Choice' are in black lettering at the top of the
label,
beneath this are the words 'Pure Clear Honey' in blue lettering and then
in
small case are the words 'A delicate blend of the worlds finest honey'.

About 4.4 million items of foodstuff, drinks and alcoholic items were
seized in
the EU last year. The total represents four per cent of the total
counterfeit
items seized in the EU last year. China accounted for most of the total
faked
goods seized last year.

In terms of origin, Russia accounted for about 13 per cent of the fakes
in
foods and drinks. The Ukraine accounted for another 13 per cent, the
Dominican
Republic nine per cent, Nigeria nine per cent, the US six per cent,
Hungary
four per cent and Argentina four per cent.

Original story at
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=63503-fsa-recall-counterfeit




Heather Clay
National Coordinator
Canadian Honey Council
Suite 236, 234-5149 Country Hills Blvd NW
Calgary AB  T3A 5K8
ph. 403-208-7141
fax 403-547-4317
email: [log in to unmask]
www.honeycouncil.ca

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