Food bosses investigate Tesco over concerns its own brand honey ‘is bulked out with cheap syrups’ 

Food bosses investigate Tesco over concerns its own brand honey ‘is bulked out with cheap syrups’

  • National Food Crime Unit has reportedly launched a probe into the Tesco honey
  • Professor Chris Elliot, who led horsemeat scandal investigation, is urging action
  • Called on the supermarket to ‘get it off the shelves’ due to concerns over honey 
  • Spokesman for Tesco said its own-brand honey is ‘100 per cent pure and natural’ 

Tesco’s own brand honey is under investigation after tests suggested it has been bulked out with cheap syrups. 

The National Food Crime Unit has reportedly launched a probe into the supermarket giant’s own-brand version of the sugary snack. 

The unit, which was launched after horse-meat was found in burgers and ready meals in 2014, is also understood to be looking into allegations the problem is widespread – with a number of major retailers alleged to have adulterated honey. 

Professor Chris Elliot, who led the investigation into the horsemeat scandal, has urged Tesco to ‘get it off the shelves’ over concerns over its authenticity. 

Professor Chris Elliot, who led the investigation into the horsemeat scandal, has urged Tesco to 'get it off the shelves' over concerns over its authenticity

Professor Chris Elliot (right), who led the investigation into the horsemeat scandal, has urged Tesco to ‘get it off the shelves’ over concerns over its authenticity (left, stock image)

Questions over ‘Tesco Clear Honey 454g’ were raised following tests conducted in a laboratory in Richmond in southwest London. It costs £1.35 from the supermarket.

A spokeswoman for the council told The Sunday Times: ‘The findings of the analysis is that there is likely to be adulteration with non-natural products.

‘This could indicate a more wide-spread issue with adulteration of honey. The results have been passed to the Food Standards Agency and the National Food Crime Unit to follow up with Tesco.’ 

The Food Standards Agency said it was ‘aware’ of the reports and ‘looking into them’. 

Much of the UK’s honey comes from China, with the UK importing 90 per cent of the 24,000 tons sold annually from the country.

Professor Elliot said: ‘Honey is one of the most adulterated types of food.’

He added: ‘Tesco had big problems over horsemeat and if there are doubts over honey it should act fast and take it off the shelves’.  

Tesco said: ‘Tesco brand honey is 100 per cent pure, natural and can be directly traced back to the beekeeper. 

‘We carry out regular tests to ensure our honey is fully compliant with all legal requirements.’ 

A spokesman for Tesco (stock image) said its own-brand honey is '100 per cent pure and natural'

A spokesman for Tesco (stock image) said its own-brand honey is ‘100 per cent pure and natural’ 

Any adulterated honey would not have the same health benefits as a natural sweetener for which it has been hailed by some.    

Although earlier this year, concerns were raised that specialist honey such as Manuka, agave syrup, cane or brown sugars and coconut sugar are often falsely advertised as being a better choice than table sugar. 

But these ‘natural sugars’ still come under ‘free sugars’, which adults are meant to limit to no more than 30g a day.

Consumers are often unaware that products like honey are just as high in sugar as table sugar and are therefore eating them in ‘excessive’ quantities, Action on Sugar said.

Experts warn the evidence around the supposed health benefits of honey is limited and there are no approved health and nutrition claims for honey. 

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