Trevor Weatherhead wrote:
Dear Trevor et al:
I hear you.  Excellent thought.
I do not know what is the minimum residue standard for mineral oil in
food (if there is one).  The reason why I insist that FOOD grade mineral
oil must be used is precisely because Food grade mineral oil IS
authorized for used on food handling machinery in the United States (and
I guess worldwide for that matter since health standards of this type
are usually accepted for applicable uses internationally).  I have not
included quantitative analysis for the presence of mineral oil in my
procedure because I consider that if residues of mineral oil get into
the honey, the amount will be negligible and since it is food grade,
hence considered acceptable.
It took me 13 years studying the Varroa situation to arrive at the
decision to use FGMO.  The use of FGMO was not accidental.  It came from
knowledge gained during past employment with the United States
Department of Agriculture.  When I decided to use FGMO I did it with the
thought that if the issue of "residues in the honey" came up (and I
agree with you, it is bound to come up), that FGMO will be accepted
because it is accepted for other foods.
I hope that this explanation puts the issue to rest and that the
question does not deter beekeepers from using a procedure with a great
potential in the "fight" against bee mites.
I thank you for bringing up the subject.  I have always felt that it was
bound to be justifiably raised, but as I have explained above, I think
that time will prove that the use of FGMO as an acaricide will not
interfere with the quality and WHOLESOMENESS of honey.
Best regards.
Dr. Rodriguez