It seems that corporations just can’t leave well enough alone. Even something as natural and historically revered as honey has to be processed until it is no longer the thing it used to be.
Food Safety News conducted tests of honey sold at various outlets in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The honey was analyzed for pollen content by a leading mellisopalynologist (investigator of pollen in honey). The results? 76% of total samples had all pollen removed. 100% of samples packaged in small individual portions had all pollen removed. In contrast, all of the honey bought at farmers markets, co-ops and natural food stores had the full, anticipated, amount of pollen.
Why does this matter? Even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that any product that has been ultra-filtered to remove all pollen is not honey. Not that that matters, as the FDA is a good friend to industry and does not actually check for pollen.
Bee pollen is full of protein, vitamins, minerals, lipids, and carbohydrates. Besides this nutritional value, it is said to help with stomach ailments, allergies, anemia, low energy, and other problems. Pollen from flowers is packaged by the honey bees with nectar and enzymes which turns it into a superfood.
The fact that pollen is removed by honey packers seems bizarre, considering that it costs money and reduces quality. One company spokesman said “North American shoppers want their honey crystal clear” (a useless sound bite) and another said “processed honey…lasts longer on the shelves” (admitting it’s about the money).
Thanks again to our friends at the Real Farmacy for this helpful and insightful info.
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