Glossary
The regulations governing how honey is marketed, labeled, and described for sale in the United States. The FDA regulates honey as a food product under 21 CFR, with specific requirements for identity, nutrition labeling, and claims. State regulations vary and may impose additional standards.
Under federal law, honey must be labeled with: product identity ("Honey" or a varietal name like "Clover Honey"), net weight in U.S. customary and metric units, name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, a Nutrition Facts panel (for retail packages), and an ingredient statement (which for pure honey is simply "Honey" with no additional ingredients). Country of origin is required for imported honey. Blends of domestic and imported honey must declare this on the label.
"Pure Honey": Means the product contains only honey and no added sweeteners or ingredients. It says nothing about processing methods (it can be pasteurized, ultrafiltered, and highly processed while still being "pure"). "Raw Honey": The FDA has not defined "raw" for honey. There is no federal standard. Most producers and consumers use it to mean unheated above natural hive temperature (approximately 95 degrees F) and minimally filtered. "Organic Honey": Requires USDA organic certification. The bees must forage on certified organic land (no pesticides within a 2-mile radius), and no prohibited substances can be used in hive management. Organic certification for honey is extremely difficult in the U.S. due to the inability to control bee foraging within a 2-mile radius of most locations. Most "organic" honey sold in the U.S. is imported.
"Natural" has no regulated meaning. "Locally sourced" has no defined radius. "Infused" and "flavored" products may contain added sugars or natural flavors that dilute the honey. "Wildflower" is legitimate but unverifiable, since there is no standard for which flowers must be present. Careful label reading and knowing your beekeeper remain the best defenses against misleading honey marketing.
Yes. Retail honey packages sold in the U.S. require a Nutrition Facts panel showing calories, total sugars, added sugars (which should be zero for pure honey), and other standard nutrients. The only exemption is for small-scale producers (under ,000 annual sales or fewer than 100 employees) who can request an exemption from FDA labeling requirements.
The USDA grading system (Grade A, B, C) evaluates honey based on moisture content, absence of defects, clarity, and flavor. Grading is voluntary. Most retail honey is not officially graded because the USDA grading program requires submission and inspection. When you see 'Grade A' on a label, it should mean the honey met USDA quality standards, but compliance is self-reported by many small producers.
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