West Florida News

U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), with Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) as a cosponsor, have introduced the Honey Integrity Act to establish federal standards for honey in the United States. The bill aims to enhance enforcement against fraudulent honey sales and protect American beekeepers. In the Senate, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) leads this initiative.

Rep. Steube stated, "I’m introducing the Honey Integrity Act in the House to crack down on the mislabeling and sale of fake products to American consumers." He emphasized that families deserve transparency about their purchases and thanked Senator Tuberville and Rep. Panetta for their support.

Rep. Panetta noted, "Fraudulent honey imports undercut American beekeepers and mislead consumers," highlighting the need for a level playing field for domestic producers.

Rep. Ezell, who is also a beekeeper, expressed pride in co-leading this legislation: "By strengthening testing and transparency, we can crack down on fraud and defend the integrity of American honey."

Senator Tuberville added that current loopholes are being exploited by foreign producers: "Our honey producers deserve a level playing field, and Americans deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies."

The Honey Integrity Act includes key provisions such as creating a Federal Standard of Identity for Honey through FDA regulation, enhancing federal oversight by mandating reports on enforcement actions against adulterated products, ensuring destruction of fraudulent honey, and maintaining consumer protection without expanding government bureaucracy.

Organizations like the American Honey Producers Association support this bill. Steven Coy, its president, commented that it addresses long-standing issues of adulteration affecting both consumers and honest beekeepers.

Patty Sundberg from the American Beekeeping Federation also expressed strong support: "We were pleased to work closely with Congressman Stuebe...on the need for this legislation to protect U.S beekeepers."

The full text of the bill is available for public reading.