ZİYA ŞAHİN: IF WE ARE THE LEADER OF PINE HONEY IN THE WORLD, WE HAD TO SET THE CRITERIA

Within the scope of combating adulteration, the carbon value (minus 23 and below) was determined for the secretion, flower and mixture honey other than pine honey.

If this value is above the specified limit, it will be possible to understand that corn sugar is added to honey.

With the new Honey Communiqué, honey that has not been heat treated and pollen removed has also been defined as "raw honey".

The criteria of the pine honey, 90 percent of world production realized in Turkey, also has been set for the first time. Thus, defining for the first time in Turkey's pine honey, a study is carried out to make an international definition within the framework of ISO (International Standarts of Organizations).

Consumer not to be deceived...

Chairman of Turkey Beekeepers' Association (TAB) Ziya Şahin said that they have been making great efforts in order to defend the honour of pine honey for 15 years as the sector. Şahin said, "If we are the leader in the world of pine honey, we had to set the criteria for honey. Thus, we have accomplished a historical task. At the same time, we have initiatives before ISO to establish the world standard of pine honey."

Emphasizing that the pollen criterion for honey made from a single plant is of great importance, Şahin added:

"It is not obligatory to write 'chestnut honey' on the label of the honey, but if it is to be written, it must bear the condition of pollen. These honeys will now be called by its own name, such as lavender honey, geven honey instead of flower honey. There are imported chestnut honeys in the market not to meet the pollen criteria one tenth of ours. This arrangement will increase the value of the honey that our producers labored 5 times. The consumer will no longer be fooled by honey mixed with half chestnut and half with something else. "