As more international reports and investigations address the issue of fake honey, Australian bee-keepers say that it’s important to understand where your food comes from and whether it’s the real deal.
Bradley Jackson, founder and owner of My Dad’s Honey, who has been in the bee-keeping industry for over 35 years, said there was nothing better than Australian honey.
“The standards of food grown in Australia is often of a better quality than in other countries. It is that kind of quality that separates our produce from your store-bought, international jars of honey,” Mr Jackson said.
“In terms of our honey, we aim to get the best of the best, the purest of the purest and we really stand by our products because we believe that they are up to that standard.”
Despite My Dad’s Honey supplying more than 70 per cent of the Australian honey market and also holding the title of largest producers of organic honey in Australia, the business has still faced its challenges.
Lee-Anne Jackson said that they were often competing with the imported honey market.
“We find it hard to compete with these companies because their price is so low which indicates to us that their honey is most likely adulterated because there is no way that the costs could be that low,” Mrs Jackson said.
The Jacksons explained that a large quantity of imported honeys that were sold in grocery stores were tampered with and mixed in with syrups, therefore making them a form of fake honey.
Their main concern about adulterated honey is that you don’t really know what’s inside the jar that is labelled as honey.
“One of the more interesting aspects about the whole issue is that it is quite difficult for us to export honey.
“As per regulations, we have to go through vigorous testing to ensure that our quality of honey is to a high standard but adulterated imported honeys are allowed on shelves at the local supermarket,” Mr Jackson said.
My Dad’s Honey staff have made it a priority to educate people about the differences between Australian made and imported honey.
“Pure honey has health benefits and it has an amazing flavour to it — when you buy real Australian honey you are paying for all of those things,” Mr Jackson said.
“On top of all this, we’re a local business and we employ locally. By buying Australian made, you’re supporting Aussies.
“If everyone starts purchasing Australian honey then the industry would pick up, we would be able to build more beehives and we would be able to offer more employment within our field.”
Australian Made CEO Ben Lazzaro agreed by saying that Australian Made Week is the perfect opportunity to consider the benefits of buying local.
“The pandemic has really opened many people’s eyes to the importance of locally made products and how we can all play our part, including businesses, by prioritising Aussie products to help strengthen the economy,” Mr Lazzaro said.
“Roy Morgan research shows that 93 per cent of Australians believe it is important to build up local manufacturing to protect Australians from problems with the supply of products made overseas.”
My Dad’s Honey can be found at the Echuca Farmers’ Market, St Annes Winery, Noel's Quality Meats Moama, Junction Moama, Echuca Moama Information Centre, Fuzion Cafe Echuca, Shebani's Tastes of the Mediterranean, River Port Florist, The Murray River Tea Rooms and The Oasis Café Elmore or you can order online at www.mydadshoney.com.au/products
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