The fake honey problem is growing... The Ministry announced the new list: There is no real honey in Turkey!

As food safety concerns rise in Turkey, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry continues its fight against imitation and adulterated food products.

The Ministry has been informing the public by publishing food brands that engage in 'imitation and adulteration' on its website since October 2. Most recently, on December 18, 2024, 11 more honey brands were added to the 'imitation' and 'adulteration' list.

These brands include honeys that contain additives such as artificial honey flavoring, coloring, sweeteners, and corn syrup. Imitation and adulteration refer to the sale of food products in a way that misleads the public by deviating from their original characteristics.

11 HONEY BRANDS ADDED

According to the statement made on the website, brands such as Gürlevik Erzincan, Bal Cenneti, Abalı, Anzer Balcısı, Otantik, Gayem, Pervari, Mutlukovan, Bal Deposu, Haskaymak, and Ecegün were listed as honey products that are 'imitation and adulterated'.

WHAT IS GENUINE HONEY?

According to the Turkish Food Codex Honey Communiqué, the diastase value in honey must be at least 8, the proline value at least 300, and the C4 value at most 7%. Honey that does not meet these criteria is treated as fake honey.

Honey containing artificial honey flavoring, coloring, sweeteners, glucose, corn syrup, and artificial honeycomb is classified as fake honey.

Adding corn or rice syrup to honey to increase its volume, or imitating honey by adding pollen, coloring agents, and flavorings to sugar syrups without even needing bees, are listed as examples of these honeys.