Contaminants from beekeeping practice includes acaricides used for parasitic mites (mainly
Varroa) control, bee repellents used at honey harvest, pesticides for wax moth and small hive
beetle control and antibiotics

The use of antibiotics in beekeeping is illegal in some EU countries. Moreover, there are no
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established for antibiotics in honey according to the
European Community regulations (Mutinelli, 2003), which means that honey containing
antibiotic residues are not permitted to be sold.

To promote the exports of honey, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of
India has setup a Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) to monitor the level of antibiotics, heavy
metals and pesticides contamination in honey destined for exports. The Export Inspection
Council (EIC) is responsible for implementing the RMP.

It is clear from the results that 11 out of the 12 samples of honey analyzed were non
compliant with EIC standard for honey to be exported for antibiotics. Multiple antibiotics were
detected in all domestic and imported brands of honey tested-except Hitkari Honey of Hitkari
Pharmacy, Delhi was found to be free of antibiotics.

Enrofloxacin, a synthetic antibacterial belonging to fluoroquinolone class approved to treat
bacterial infections in cattle, but in no other food animal. Use of fluoroquinolones to treat any
honey bee disease is considered to be an unapproved drug by FDA. Enrofloxacin was
detected in 83% of the samples -10 out of 12 samples analysed.

Antibiotic Residues in Honey, September, 2010
CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION MONITORING LABORATORY
NEW DELHI

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm