SA crackdown on fake honey: Here’s how to spot the fraud…
An operation in the Eastern Cape is helping to clear South Africa of fake honey products that risk consumers’ health and cheat local beekeepers.
The Department of Agriculture and the South Africa Police Service have been conducting a massive fake honey crackdown in the Eastern Cape, targeting fraudulent and incorrectly labelled products.
Taking place in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality, this joint operation – backed by the Agricultural Product Standards Act of 1990 (Act 119 of 1990) – aims to “safeguard real producers, protect market integrity, and shield consumers from misleading, harmful items”.
The department said it was “dead serious” about dealing with fake honey but to its relief had already found some retailers selling authentic honey.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has previously warned that incorrectly labelled products can compromise the health of vulnerable communities, particularly diabetics, who purchase them believing they are beneficial.
Globally, honey is the third most targeted product for fraud and adulteration, reflecting a worldwide surge in questionable product volumes. South Africa’s high demand, coupled with its status as a net importer, ensures poor-quality and adulterated honey often finds its way onto shelves, according to the University of Cape Town.
The department’s directorate for inspection services conducts enforcement work under the APS Act. It has warned that consumers must remain vigilant, as “honey-based syrup” is simply syrup pretending to be honey.
“Genuine honey is 100% pure honey,” says the department.
How to spot fake honey
- Check the label: If the product says “blend” or “honey-based syrup,” skip it.
- Texture test: Authentic honey is generally thick and flows slowly.
- Spoon test: Real honey tends to stick, while counterfeit syrup products often drip immediately.
- Price check: Extremely cheap pricing usually serves as a clear indicator of a fake product.
- Buy trusted brands: Support genuine beekeepers to safeguard the market.
Department of Agriculture’s ongoing battle against fake honey
This late current crackdown on fake honey follows a significant operation in Gauteng in late 2024, where the Department of Agriculture and law-enforcement authorities seized 1,059 containers of “honey-based” syrups and 388 non-compliant honey products.
At the time, Steenhuisen warned that seizures would be expanded to other provinces to ensure citizens get the quality goods they intended to purchase.
Economic sweet spot
The integrity of the local honey market is critical, as the industry forms a vital pillar of agriculture and the economy. The silent labour of honeybees underpins national food security, with bee pollination contributing more than R10 billion every year to SA agriculture.
Additionally, real South African honey has demonstrated therapeutic potential as antimicrobial agents and is being investigated for potential use in complex wound treatment.
| Category | Metric | Economic Impact / Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Pollination Value | Annual Contribution to SA Agriculture | R10 billion per year |
| Local Production | Annual Domestic Yield | Up to 2,500 tonnes |
| Local Demand | Domestic Consumption | Nearly double production |
| Imports | Market Share (2021) | 86% of SA market met by imports |
| Primary Import Source | Percentage from China | More than 80% of natural honey imports |
Beekeeping is also highlighted as a low-capital entry point for youth, women, and rural entrepreneurs, generating income from hive products like honey, beeswax and propolis.