In a world where the importance of food safety increases day by day, the seizure of fraudulent olive oil and fake honey in Aydın has begun to worry both honest producers, tradesmen and consumers.
Recently, a large amount of products that look like honey but are not honey were seized during the operations carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. While this situation caused anxiety among citizens who never miss honey on their tables, the silence of Aydın Beekeepers Association on this issue surprised both beekeepers and citizens.
“IT THREATENS HUMAN HEALTH”
Experienced beekeeper Mehmet Yanar Devecioğlu in Aydın’s Efeler district warned consumers about fake honey. 42-year-old Devecioğlu emphasized that they have been beekeeping from grandfather to grandchild and that fake honey poses serious threats to both health and finances. Stating that fake honey is generally produced using glucose syrup, sugar, starch and chemical additives, Mehmet Yanar Devecioğlu said, “Such products lack the health benefits of real honey and in some cases can cause allergic reactions or digestive problems. Fake honey is a threat to human health.” “It is a trick and a fraud,” he said.
LABEL CHECK IS IMPORTANT
Listing some tips that consumers should pay attention to in order to understand the differences between fake honey and real honey, Devecioğlu primarily drew attention to label control. Noting that it is necessary to read the label information carefully when buying honey, Devecioğlu said, “Labels that give information about the source and production place of the honey should be preferred. Real honey generally has a dense consistency and its fluidity is slow when poured from the bottle. Fake honey usually has a thinner and liquid consistency. “Real honey has a rich flavor profile and a pleasant aroma. If the honey tastes artificial or overly sweet, it may be fake.”
Stating that there are small tests that consumers can do themselves to distinguish fake and real honey, Devecioğlu said, “When you put some honey in a glass full of water, real honey will sink to the bottom of the water, while fake honey will immediately disperse. This simple test can help understand the purity of honey. Also, a cotton ball.” “Dip the piece into the honey and hold it over the fire. If the honey does not burn, it may be fake honey because fake honey usually consists of water and chemicals,” he said.
GIVES SUGGESTIONS TO CONSUMERS
While Aydınlı beekeeper Devecioğlu recommends consumers to shop from reliable places when buying honey, “Buying from certified and well-known beekeepers reduces the risk of counterfeit products. “In addition, choosing local markets increases the chance of finding fresh and real honey,” he said.
(UAV)