Confirmation Regarding the Source of Honey Imminent

The European Union has adopted a new directive that will require honey to be labeled with specific countries of origin, starting from June 14, 2026. This move aims to bring transparency to the honey market and empower consumers to make informed choices about their purchases.

Under the new rules, honey labels will list countries of origin according to their weight share. For instance, a honey blend from Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay will be labeled as such, providing consumers with more detailed information. However, if the honey comes from multiple countries, it can still be labeled as a blend from multiple countries, even if it's not specified which countries are involved.

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is introducing an ordinance for national implementation of this directive. The EU directive, adopted in 2024, must be transposed into German law by December 14. This creates an overall transition period of 24 months for the economy.

Consumer organizations, such as Foodwatch, have welcomed this directive as long overdue. Foodwatch Managing Director Chris Methmann has criticized the current labeling, stating that it is as informative as "origin: planet Earth". Methmann also calls for consistent controls against "honey fraud" with sugar syrup.

The Honey Importers and Packers Association, on the other hand, has stated that the new, more precise labeling has nothing to do with quality. They argue that bees produce honey, regardless of national borders.

Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) supports the new directive, stating that clear labeling promotes fairness in competition and makes it easier for consumers to choose domestic products. Consumers, according to Methmann, want to know where their food comes from.

It's worth noting that products produced, bottled, and labeled according to the current rules before the deadline can still be sold after the deadline. The search results do not provide specific information about the countries from which the largest volumes of honey blends will originate according to the new EU directive starting mid-2026.

Furthermore, the new directive does not require the label to specify the exact countries if the honey is a blend from all 27 EU countries, non-EU countries around the world, or a blend of both.

As the transition period begins, it will be interesting to see how the honey industry adapts to these new labeling requirements and how consumers respond to having more detailed information about the origin of their honey.