New draft standard for Australian native bee honey

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) received an application from the Australian Native Bee Association Inc. to permit the sale and use of honey produced by stingless bees native to Australia.

The consumption of Australian native bee honey at the requested compositional limits for reducing sugars does not present a risk to public health if beekeepers apply good hygienic practice. Risks to vulnerable populations are comparable to the risks associated with consumption of honey bee honey.

Seven submissions were received. FSANZ has approved a draft new standard – Standard.2.8.3 – Native bee honey, which sets out compositional and labelling requirements for native bee Honey. A food that is sold as native bee honey will have to be ‘native bee honey’ as defined in the Code.