Pesticides

Where do they come from?
Pesticides are used to control vermin and weeds. If this happens in flowering time, residues may end up in the honey through pesticide traces in the nectar.  
Stringent checks
Since the end of 2000 each container of honey arriving at Meli is screened for 569 pesticides. This list is regularly updated and complemented with new types.

Antibiotics

Honey is a 100% natural product with nothing added or taken away, as is prescribed by law. Like other natural products, honey may nevertheless contain residues, minuscule traces of foreign substances. In this context there was lot of commotion recently about residues of antibiotics found in honey. Although greatly exaggerated, this problem is taken very seriously by the manufacturers.

Where do they come from?
Bees are animals (honey is therefore subject to veterinary inspection) and can get ill just like other animals. In such a case the hive needs to be treated with medicine. Such a treatment may eventually result in residues ending up in the honey.  However, there are other causes as well. Antibiotics are sometimes used in ornamental plant cultivation and fruit farming to combat illnesses and mould growth. If this happens in flowering time, residues may end up in the honey through traces of antibiotics in the nectar. And last but not least, bees need to drink just like all other animals. Contaminated water may therefore also be the cause of the presence of antibiotics in honey (poultry).

Is it harmful?
If any residues are found, it concerns very small quantities (e.g. 10 micrograms or 0.000010 g). In addition, many other natural products also contain residues: Europe has even set maximum standards for a whole range of products. Regrettably, no limits have been determined for honey.  For example, the maximum residue limit for streptomycin for milk and meat amounts to 200 and 500 micrograms respectively, while the annual consumption of these natural products is much higher than that of honey. 

Stringent checks
Residues of antibiotics in honey are rare and, as mentioned above, it always concerns very small quantities. Honey manufacturers nevertheless insist on European rules, as they exist for many other products. Such a criterion will make it really clear for the consumer that there is actually no problem.
But you can rest assured. MELI is proud of its 100% natural product and takes great pains not only to check the honey carefully, but also to keep the amount of residues as small as possible.