UK concerns over contaminated honey
blended honey following concerns about a lack of control on the use
of veterinary drugs in China. The agency said that seven out of 15
samples tested positive for an illegal residue of the veterinary
medicine streptomycin.
The UK Food Standards Agency has tested batches of Chinese and blended honey following concerns about a lack of control on the use of veterinary drugs in China. The agency said that seven out of 15 samples tested positive for an illegal residue of the veterinary medicine streptomycin.
The FSA said that there was no risk to the public from the honey, and that it was safe to consume. However, since the honey cannot legally contain streptomycin (which is also a human antibiotic), the agency has advised the relevant companies of the test results and will oblige them to withdraw the products from sale.
The affected products are Asda Acacia Honey, Gales Pure Set Honey, Sainsbury's Runny Clear Honey and Pure Clear Blended Honey, Tesco Pure Set Honey, Tesco Finest Acacia Honey and Tesco Pure Clear Honey.
The FSA said it has begun the tests before the European Union's formal decision to suspend imports of products of animal origin from China on 31 January following its own concerns about the lack of controls on the use of veterinary drugs in animals in China.
Further tests on honey and other animal products from China are being carried out, the FSA said, and further public advice will be issued if necessary.
