The European Federation of Honey Packers and Distributors (F.E.E.D.M.) was established in 1989 and represents the EU honey packers, importers and wholesalers. Through its members, F.E.E.D.M. represents a large part of the honey placed on the European market, covering both retail and industrial channels.

F.E.E.D.M. brings together national honey associations from EU Member States including Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The federation also includes associations from neighbouring non-EU countries such as Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

F.E.E.D.M. is an active member of the European Commission’s Civil Dialogue Groups on Animal Products (especially Beekeeping) and Organic Farming where it advocates for natural and pure honey that can be tested with methods validated in accordance with internationally accepted scientific protocols. Additionally, F.E.E.D.M. is collaborating closely with the JRC (Joint Research Centre) on testing methods (“HarmHoney”-project) and is part of the new DG Agriculture and Rural Development’s Honey Platform.

F.E.E.D.M. members demonstrate their commitment to quality by ensuring that honey is carefully sourced, analysed, blended, and marketed in full compliance with EU legislation and standards. They guarantee authenticity, traceability, and accurate labelling at every stage. This commitment is further reinforced through adherence to a shared F.E.E.D.M. Code of Conduct, reflecting their role as key actors in safeguarding the integrity of honey and promoting transparency across the supply chain.

F.E.E.D.M. contributes expertise to discussions on honey quality, authenticity, labelling, traceability, analytical methods and consumer protection. By participating in EU working groups and stakeholder platforms, the federation helps promote science-based and practical approaches across the honey supply chain

Honey sold in the EU must comply with strict food safety, traceability and labelling requirements. Businesses are responsible for ensuring compliance through supplier controls, traceability systems, quality checks and food-safety procedures such as HACCP. Imported honey must also meet EU import and certification requirements before it can be placed on the market.

Food business operators are responsible for ensuring that honey placed on the market complies with EU food legislation. National authorities in the Member States carry out official controls and enforcement activities to verify compliance.

Yes. The EU sets strict maximum limits for residues such as pesticides and for certain contaminants in food, including honey. Honey can only be placed on the EU market if it complies with these requirements, which are verified through controls carried out by food businesses and competent authorities.

Imported honey must meet identical safety standards as EU honey, plus additional requirements: official certification from exporting country, TRACES establishment registration, and border inspections.

Honey authenticity means the honey is genuine bee-produced honey with no added sugars, syrups, or artificial ingredients. That means that honey remains a natural product derived from various bee species, without any additives or adulteration.

Honey adulteration is the addition of non-honey substances, such as sugar syrups, to reduce production costs or increase profits. Detecting adulteration can be challenging because sophisticated syrups may closely resemble the natural composition of honey. This is why a combination of analytical and traceability measures is important.

Honey authenticity can be assessed using several complementary analytical methods, including stable isotope ratio analysis (EA/LC-IRMS), LC-HRMS, NMR profiling, sugar profile analysis (HPAEC-PAD) and pollen analysis. No single method can detect every type of adulteration. For this reason, laboratories generally apply a combination of screening and confirmatory methods as part of a risk-based approach.

Laboratory testing is required in specific situations, such as certain import controls, official controls by competent authorities and where required by customers. In addition, many honey businesses conduct regular testing as part of their quality assurance and authenticity programmes.

Method validation helps ensure that analytical results are reliable, reproducible and legally robust. Harmonised and scientifically validated methods support effective controls, fair enforcement and greater confidence in authenticity testing. F.E.E.D.M. supports ongoing work within the Honey Platform and the HarmHoney project to advance method harmonisation.

Traceability for honey means the ability to track it from the hive to the final product through documented records and batch identification. It ensures transparency across the supply chain, supporting food safety, authenticity, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust.

EU legislation requires honey labels to indicate the country or countries of origin. For honey blends, Directive (EU) 2024/1438 introduces more detailed origin labelling, including the percentage contribution of each country. Together with traceability systems used throughout the supply chain, this helps provide greater transparency for consumers.

The Commission has been tasked with adopting, by 14 June 2028, implementing acts establishing methods of analysis for detecting adulterated honey and, by 14 June 2029, delegated acts establishing stricter requirements for the traceability of honey and its composition. Technical work is currently underway to this end and F.E.E.D.M. will offer the best cooperation.

EU honey labels must include the name of the product, the name and address of the responsible operator, the net weight, a best-before date, a lot identification and the country or countries of origin. Additional information may be required depending on the product and national rules.

Honey has a naturally long shelf life. The “best before” date indicates how long the producer expects the product to retain its optimal quality, flavour and texture. Over time, honey may naturally crystallise or change colour, which does not affect its safety. When stored properly, honey remains a stable and durable food product.

No. Terms such as “raw” or “pure” do not, by themselves, indicate higher quality. Under EU legislation, honey must already meet defined compositional requirements. Consumers should look at factors such as origin, transparency and product information rather than relying solely on marketing claims.

A higher price does not automatically mean better quality. Price can reflect factors such as origin, production costs, or marketing, but all honey sold in the EU must meet strict quality standards. Consumers should consider origin, transparency, and personal preference rather than price alone.

No. All honey marketed in the EU must comply with the same legal requirements on composition, safety and labelling.Differences may arise in variety, processing style, or origin, but both can offer high-quality products.

Crystallisation is a natural process caused by the sugars in honey (mainly glucose) forming crystals.It does not mean the honey has gone bad – crystallised honey remains safe and retains its quality and flavour.

Honey varies depending on botanical and geographical origin, climate, and processing.These factors influence colour, flavour, composition and crystallisation behaviour, making each honey unique.

Blending allows producers to achieve a consistent taste, colour, and texture across batches. It can also help balance natural variations between harvests and ensure stable supply and product availability.

The taste of honey is shaped by the flowers visited by bees and the local environment.Different plants and regions produce distinct flavour profiles, aromas, and colours.

The EU cannot fully meet its demand through domestic production alone. It is a major honey producer but also a net importer.Imports help ensure a continuous supply and a wide variety of honey types

The EU is one of the world’s largest honey importers because domestic production does not fully meet consumer demand. Honey is sourced from a range of non-EU countries, and import volumes vary from year to year depending on harvest conditions and market developments

F.E.E.D.M. members typically work with suppliers to ensure traceability, quality control and compliance with EU standards.This often involves long-term partnerships, audits and support for good beekeeping and processing practices.

Yes. Imported honey must meet the same EU food safety, traceability and quality requirements as EU-produced honey.Only compliant products can be placed on the EU market.

Honey packers and distributors source, process, blend (if needed), pack and supply honey to retailers or food producers.They ensure product consistency, safety, traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Honey packers may filter, blend and gently process honey to prepare it for sale, provided the essential characteristics and composition of honey are preserved. EU legislation does not allow practices that alter the nature of honey or mislead consumers.

Professional packers apply food safety systems such as HACCP, traceability systems and quality controls throughout the supply chain.These systems ensure compliance with EU food legislation

Gentle heating is used to liquefy crystallised honey and make it easier to filter and bottle.It must be carefully controlled to preserve honey’s natural quality.

The main legislation is the EU Honey Directive, which defines honey, sets composition criteria and regulates labelling.It is complemented by general EU food law on safety, hygiene and traceability.

Delegated acts allow the European Commission to adopt more detailed technical rules where authorised by EU legislation. In the honey sector, future delegated acts may address topics such as traceability requirements, origin determination and product composition.

EU rules are broadly aligned with Codex standards, which define honey composition and quality internationally.However, the EU may apply stricter requirements, particularly on labelling and traceability.