The origin and quality of honey are topics of great interest for consumers, also considering that there are many varieties on the market and it is not always easy to choose. Often then this product is purchased in supermarkets, where quality can be scarce and it can be even more difficult to orient themselves to find the best honey.
In a recent test, published by the magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs, they were Analyze 22 packs of honey Present in French supermarkets to determine which were the best and which, however, possibly to be avoided.
The test specifically analyzed 12 flowers of flowers, 5 lavender honey and 5 chestnut honey that, going to read the label, they came mainly from countries such as Bulgaria, Spain, Ukraine, Mexico and China But there were also some champions of French origin. No product came from our country but the test results are also interesting for the Italian market, where it is common to find imported honey (especially at the supermarket).
The results
The French test examined several crucial aspects of the quality of honey, including the sugary composition, the freshness, the presence of chemical residues and the authenticity of the origin. The main parameters analyzed were:
Another important aspect is the presence of chemical residues. Two honey showed contamination from insecticides, One of which contained neonicotinoids, molecules harmful to bees and prohibited since 2018 in France and from 2021 in the EU. Although the levels found were under the legal limits, the products were a little penalized.
What about French honey? The 2024 beekeeping crisis drastically reduced national production, with a drop of 40%. As a result, much of the honey sold in France comes from abroad, in particular flowers of flowers from countries such as Bulgaria, Spain and Mexico. However, the test highlighted that the chestnut and lavender honey from France are of high quality and respect the regulations, without obvious defects.
The best varieties of honey
The test of 60 Millions de Consommateurs It made it possible to draw up a ranking of the best honey brands (which does not interest us much as most are not sold in Italy) but also considered the various types. In general, chestnut honey were fresh and high quality, while some honey of flowers, in particular those who came from tropical countries, showed signs of fermentation or overheating.
It was also highlighted that i biological myli generally respect the regulations While more attention must be had with conventional honey that have a greater risk of presenting traces of pesticides.
Choosing the right honey does not only mean paying attention to the type of flowers from which it is obtained or its consistency, but also to its origin, to the level of freshness and, if possible, to the absence of contaminants. The quality and authenticity of honey are essential, and the advice for consumers is pay attention to the labeling and the expiry date (To get a cooler product, even if honey does not expire).
Following the infographics of the tested products that, as you can see, even if they presented some defects, were all substantially promoted (except one reported in red).
