> it should say: Most commercial honey [from US] contains anti-biotics ....

Not so. Antibiotic use is worldwide:

> As a result of the chloramphenicol problem UK packers have been checking every container load of honey, from whatever source for chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracyclines and sulphonamides. Nearly all Chinese honey contained chloramphenicol and was destroyed or returned or is sequestered, so results on Chinese honeys that arrived before the suspension have not been included.

> The results show that beekeepers in the European Union use antibiotics no more and no less than beekeepers in exporting countries. We all have to work together to resolve this issue. EU beekeepers cannot escape from their responsibility, pretend the analyses are wrong or try to blame imports. EU beekeepers must face up to the situation they have, in part, created. 

> While the presence of a residue such as a tetracycline at an extremely low, parts per billion level is not a public health issue, one has to consider what effect this has on consumer perceptions. The UK Food Standards Agency set an Action Level of 50 parts per billion for tetracyclines, streptomycin and sulphonamides, above which consignments must be rejected and indeed are rejected.

VETERINARY DRUG RESIDUES IN HONEY. P. MARTIN Technical Adviser, The Honey Association of the UK, Scientific Co-ordinator, FEEDM, Secretary, International Honey Commission Apiacta 1, 2003

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