Next time you’re browsing the honey aisle at your local grocery store, it’s worth pausing for a moment before picking up that plastic bear filled with store-brand honey or shelling out extra for a premium, artisanal jar. It turns out price alone shouldn’t be your deciding factor.
An investigation by Food Safety News revealed a concerning fact: about 76% of honey sold in grocery stores undergoes a process known as “ultra-filtration.” While this may sound like a good thing, it’s far from it. Ultra-filtration removes more than just impurities like wax; it also strips honey of its pollen—a key ingredient for determining where honey comes from. And guess which brands are most likely to be ultra-filtered? You guessed it—the store-brand, generic options.
The Problem with Ultra-Filtration
Ultra-filtration might seem harmless at first glance, but it brings up a few major concerns. For starters, many health-conscious individuals believe that the so-called “impurities” in honey—like pollen—are actually good for us. They provide health benefits, making honey a better option than other sweeteners like refined sugar. What’s surprising is that this filtration process is expensive and doesn’t even offer a real advantage. It doesn’t meaningfully extend the honey’s shelf life, despite what some manufacturers claim.
But here’s the real issue: pollen is the only reliable way to trace where honey comes from. When honey is ultra-filtered and stripped of all its pollen, it becomes impossible to trace its origin, which can be a way to hide shady practices or questionable sourcing. In short, what’s left in that bottle could come from anywhere.
What the Investigation Found
Food Safety News took it a step further and had honey samples tested by Vaughn Bryant, a top melissopalynologist (a fancy word for pollen expert) and professor at Texas A&M University. The results were startling. Around three-fourths of the honey sold in stores was stripped of its pollen, making it untraceable and potentially unsafe.
Here’s a breakdown of what was found:
- 100% of honey sold under the Winnie the Pooh label at Walmart had all pollen removed.
- 100% of honey packets from fast-food chains like KFC and McDonald’s also had zero pollen.
- 77% of honey from big-box retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Target had no pollen traces.
- 100% of honey from drugstores like Walgreens and CVS was also fully filtered.
On the bright side, honey from co-ops, farmers’ markets, and stores like Trader Joe’s maintained its natural pollen content, making it a safer and more authentic choice.
Calls for Regulation: Where Does the FDA Stand?
Given these findings, many have pushed for the FDA to step in and regulate the honey industry more strictly. The goal is to prevent adulterated or even smuggled honey from making its way onto grocery store shelves. Yet, so far, the FDA hasn’t taken significant action on this front, leaving consumers in a tricky spot.
Meanwhile, in the European Union, regulators have recently implemented a requirement that honey containers list “pollen” as an ingredient—when it’s present. This change has sparked some controversy among honey producers who argue that pollen is an intrinsic part of honey, and shouldn’t need to be separately listed.
Why Raw Honey is Worth It
Raw honey offers much more than just a sweet taste—it’s packed with health benefits. One ounce of raw honey contains about 20 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 16 minerals, and a hefty dose of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Its properties are impressive, acting as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal powerhouse. Plus, raw honey is loaded with essential nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and more.
With all of this nutritional goodness, it’s clear why many people prefer raw honey over its heavily processed counterparts. When you remove the pollen and filter out the natural elements, you lose a lot of what makes honey such a beneficial and nutritious option.
Why Pollen Matters in Honey
Pollen is more than just a trace ingredient in honey—it’s packed with nutrients. When honey contains pollen, you’re getting proteins, antioxidants, and enzymes that contribute to its overall health benefits. Some even believe that local honey, complete with pollen from the area, can help ease seasonal allergies by allowing your body to gradually adjust to local allergens.
By choosing raw honey that still contains its natural pollen, you’re opting for a more wholesome product. On the flip side, ultra-filtered honey removes this valuable component, reducing its nutritional value and leaving you with a product that’s little more than sweetener.
A Safer Bet: Farmer’s Market and Natural Store Honey
If you’re looking for better quality honey, checking out farmers’ markets or natural food stores is a good idea. The honey sold in these places is usually raw and unfiltered, meaning it keeps its pollen and all the natural nutrients that come with it. Unlike the mass-produced honey you find at big chain stores, which has often been ultra-filtered and has little traceability, honey from local farmers is more likely to come from ethical and transparent sources. This makes it a much better option for those who care about both quality and where their food comes from.
Another bonus of buying local honey is that it might help with seasonal allergies. Since local honey contains pollen from plants in your area, some believe that consuming it can help your body gradually adjust to those allergens, possibly reducing symptoms over time.
By choosing honey from smaller, local producers, you’re not just doing something good for yourself—you’re also supporting the people behind these sustainable operations. Local beekeepers rely on the support of their communities to keep their hives healthy and productive, which is also great for the environment since bees play such a key role in pollination.
So, next time you’re shopping for honey, consider skipping the generic brands and head to your local farmers’ market instead. It’s a win-win for your health and for the planet.
Choose Your Honey Wisely
Choosing honey may seem like a simple task, but the quality of what you buy can make a big difference. While ultra-filtered honey found in many big-box stores and generic brands may look appealing due to its lower price, it comes at a cost to your health and the authenticity of the product. Stripping honey of its natural pollen removes its unique benefits—antioxidants, enzymes, and proteins that contribute to its nutritional value.
On the other hand, raw, unfiltered honey, especially from local sources, offers a richer, more natural product. Not only does it retain its health-promoting properties, but it also supports local beekeepers who prioritize quality over mass production. By choosing honey with pollen, you’re ensuring that what you’re consuming is more than just a sweetener—it’s a nutrient-packed addition to your diet that supports your well-being.
