> But it is not the job of a buyer for a grocery store to
> ensure honey meets those bottom line standards and he
> has nor the equipment nor the skills to do that.

Two years ago at the ABF meeting, at a very poorly attended but very
important session on honey quality, the packer presenting the talk mentioned
that Wal-Mart requires suppliers to provide a plate count of anaerobic
bacteria, among other things.

A buyer *can* require a supplier provide documentation of analysis for *any*
honey property, but each additional test adds to cost and narrows the field
of potential suppliers.  As a result the main pressure to demand proof of
quality comes from fear of liability, bad press, or regulatory or consumer
demands.

Also, I believe CFIA routinely does microscopic evaluations of yeast
content, and many other random tests, and I imagine that USDA or another US
agency does the same.  Just because they do not say anything most of the
time does not mean they are not watching.

allen

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