>Roger White  asked
>I was wondering what is the situation in other countries regarding honey processing/bottling establishemnts and the >HACCP certification.  Is it obligatory in the EU or any other country?

Just got home from a meeting where I gave lessons  the whole day. The aim was to work out HACCP certification for 40 beekeepers attending. At the moment I am conducting 4 other courses like this, and there are together about 250 beekeepers on the courses. That is about  8 % of the beekeepers in our country.

In Finland it is obligatory for all beekeepers who pack honey for sale. The health officials have not demanded it strongly from  the average small beekeepers, but officially they should have it as everyone else who works with food processing. All beekeepers who have their honey houses passed for 'food processing space' must have a HACCP plan for their operation.

Also shops are already asking about it from the beekeepers who supply the honey. I am quite sure the packers will start asking it too.

  Ari Seppala   MMM
Project Manager
Finnish Beekeepers' Association

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