FDA Promises(?) Action on Honey Standard of Identity

Senators Send Letter to FDA

The Food and Drug Administration appears to have agreed to more forward on the Standard of Identity petition from the American honey industry that has been awaiting action by FDA for over three years.

The report accompanying the FY-2010 House Agricultural Appropriations bill indicates that FDA has committed to the Appropriations Committee that is will respond to the industry petition.

"Honey-The Committee recognizes that honey is produced in the US, traded internationally, and consumed as both a packaged food and as food ingredient. However, there have been instances where manufacturers have been marketing products illegally as "honey" or "pure honey" that contained other ingredients. The Committee believes that guidance about the composition and labeling of honey is needed to protect consumers and the domestic honey industry from misbranded honey and honey-derived products that currently entering the US market. The committee directs the FDA to remind manufacturers of honey about the misbranding and adulteration provisions of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. It is the Committee's understanding that FDA intends to respond to the pending citizen petition proposing a standard of identity for honey, and the committee expects the agency to do so."
 
Separately, 12 senators, led by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), have also asked FDA to act on the standard of identity. In a letter dated June 23, 2009, the senators detailed the need for the standard, then asked that the FDA propose a standard of identity within three months.

posted August 2009