Poll: Should it be legal to use the word "Raw" on labels to describe unheated, non-pressure filtered honey

[Boston Bees]

As being discussed on another thread. I thought a poll would be worth doing.

Note: the current situation is that it is NOT allowed

 

[Finman]

As being discussed on another thread. I thought a poll would be worth doing.

Note: the current situation is that it is NOT allowed

Poll does not help.
But RAW word is not only humbug in honey.

Does it mean, that non raw honey is heated?

 

[pargyle]

As being discussed on another thread. I thought a poll would be worth doing.

Note: the current situation is that it is NOT allowed

I think, rather than condemning all pressure filtered honey I would prefer to see a minimum micron size of filter specified and a specific maximum temperature. I would also prefer to see it as a single source product. The reason for pasturisation and fine filtering is to prevent crystallisation on supermarket shelves - those of us who market direct to the public or via first tier retail outlets have no chance of hitting the major retailers as in most cases we would see product that did not look its best after a few weeks on the shelf.

I'm afraid I can't support the poll in its present wording although I support the principle behind it.

 

[Sanntos]

I believe the use of the word "raw" is a slippery slope for all in-country beekeepers. It will in time loose its effect. What then? A genuine brand, like "Honey" is, don't need no extra adjectives. But maybe I am wrong, I like emphasize that my honey is from Sweden, and also the word "local".

 

[WoodenBeam]

I must admit to not really caring a monkeys who har’s…………
As already said, raw this week, something else next & something else the following.

 

[Nannysbees]

I have just watched it.
In the dictionary the term raw means
1.
(of food) not cooked. In its natural state.
Surely if its from the hive to the jar, isn't that raw?

 

[Midget Gem]

The main problem with rules arises when the rules aren't applied to everyone (Christmas party, anyone?) If Trading Standards don't have the manpower to apply this rule to everyone, then they shouldn't be allowed to apply it to sellers who they see as easy pickings. It doesn't really make much difference to me as I only sell a small amount of surplus and my customers know that they are buying a superior product and come back for more.

 

[Ian123]

The main problem with rules arises when the rules aren't applied to everyone (Christmas party, anyone?) If Trading Standards don't have the manpower to apply this rule to everyone, then they shouldn't be allowed to apply it to sellers who they see as easy pickings. It doesn't really make much difference to me as I only sell a small amount of surplus and my customers know that they are buying a superior product and come back for more.

We’re all aware Raw shouldn’t be used so quite simply just don’t use it. It’s really not that difficult

 

[user 20297]

We’re all aware Raw shouldn’t be used so quite simply just don’t use it. It’s really not that difficult

Yes, Boris.

 

[Jules59]

Is there a definition of what is "heated" honey ?

 

[masterBK]

Do we as hobby beekeepers filter our honey or strain it? I suggest straining is the actual process carried out as we only remove solid objects visible to the naked eye like wax fragments that have got into the honey during its extraction. Filtering is a process where much smaller particles are removed eg pollen grains. The 2015 honey regs forbid the deliberate removal of pollen from honey as it is a natural constituent.

People often claim they strain the honey to remove bees legs but I have yet to find a bees leg in my straining cloth. I did however find a varroa mite in a jar of honey on the show bench a few years ago not forgetting regularly finding eye lashes, human and mammal hairs , fibres of wool and other textiles, flies from a range of species in honey I have judged. I often suggest that a ****y prize card should be given to the exhibitor whose honey contains the largest object.

 

[Jules59]

Mr Edwards makes some very good points and their should be some standards that define our product clearly for the public. As the term "Raw" seems to have been abused and not favoured by some, maybe a new term eg "Grade 1" honey could be used with a strict definition agreed with the Gov.

 

[Jules59]

Do we as hobby beekeepers filter our honey or strain it? I suggest straining is the actual process carried out as we only remove solid objects visible to the naked eye like wax fragments that have got into the honey during its extraction. Filtering is a process where much smaller particles are removed eg pollen grains. The 2015 honey regs forbid the deliberate removal of pollen from honey as it is a natural constituent.

Filtering vs straining is semantics - Is it not just a question of pore size , which can be defined accurately.

 

[Jules59]

Its been suggested to me that "Raw" should be used for only unaltered comb honey. In which case it would seem sensible that Raw should be outlawed and "Comb Honey" used for comb honey.

 

[pargyle]

Mr Edwards makes some very good points and their should be some standards that define our product clearly for the public. As the term "Raw" seems to have been abused and not favoured by some, maybe a new term eg "Grade 1" honey could be used with a strict definition agreed with the Gov.

But ... if it has been denigrated then any other term is going to follow suit - so far better to legislate and legalise a term that the consumer is familiar with than start from scratch with a new term. Raw is only denigrated in the eyes of some beekeepers - not in the perception of the buying public so, if it works, why fix it (or in this case change it).

To suggest that all customers who seek out raw honey are muppets influenced by shenanigans in the USA is naive .... there may be a few who are but the vast majority that I speak to about my honey understand what is done to much of the honey sold in supermarkets and they tell me that they can taste the difference.

And no - you can't use taste the difference ... Sainsbury already have it on their 100% pure - FOREIGN honey ...

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui...ange-blossom-honey--taste-the-difference-340g

 

[user 20297]

Is there a definition of what is "heated" honey ?

Laurence Edwards is defining it as 40C as he says that is only marginally above what it could achieve in natural conditions within the hive.

 

[pargyle]

You may not like it but the USA are already well down the path and what happens over there often comes across the pond .....

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324966#organic-honey

 

[Somerford]

While the term 'raw' is a reflection on the current societal marketing in other sectors to differentiate locally produced artisan food from other mass produced or manufactured goods, I do feel some sort of labelling regulation change is needed to allow customers to differentiate from shoddy quality foreign adulturated honey.

If this and the petition get some traction then this is a good thing

 

[Anduril]

You may not like it but the USA are already well down the path and what happens over there often comes across the pond .....

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324966#organic-honey

Be careful what you wish for, it could lead to more regulation and red tape.

 

[Hachi]

There are two distinct markets of which you all speak 1) mass produced blended honey from many sources and 2) local honey from small producers. I educate my customers to the benefits of my local honey and it sells itself. You don't need another meaningless adjective to sell a quality product.