By Marlee Jackson
(334) 613-4219

Legislation filed by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., could spell sweet news for domestic beekeepers and honey producers.

The Honey Integrity Act would protect American producers from being undercut by counterfeit, foreign honey imports, Tuberville said.

“America’s beekeepers and honey producers work tirelessly to ensure we have access to pure, quality honey,” said Tuberville, who serves on the Senate Ag Committee. “But sadly, the lack of uniform standards is creating loopholes foreign honey producers are increasingly exploiting. Our honey producers deserve a level playing field, and Americans deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies.”

This legislation would instruct the Food & Drug Administration to create a standard identity for honey. The Health & Human Services secretary would also be required to report enforcement against adulterated or misbranded honey to Congress.

U.S. Reps. Greg Steube, R-Fla., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., have filed companion legislation in the House.

The Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Commercial Beekeepers Association and American Honey Producers Association back the beekeeper-friendly legislation. 

“The Alabama Farmers Federation and its members extends gratitude to Sen. Tuberville and Reps. Steube and Panetta for their leadership in protecting consumers’ right to purchase pure honey,” said Blake Thaxton, the Federation’s Bee & Honey Division director. “Buying local honey directly from beekeepers remains the best way to ensure consumers receive 100% real honey. However, this bill is a meaningful step toward building consumer confidence that the honey they buy is unadulterated.”