Honeybees and various other pollinating insects play an essential role in the production of approximately one-third of our food and beverages. These crucial pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of crops worth $24 billion. Additionally, they support the growth of plants like alfalfa and clover, which are vital for cattle feed. Specifically, honeybee pollination alone is responsible for $15 billion in crops, spanning over 130 different fruits and vegetables.
However, the threats facing these pollinators extend beyond pesticide exposure. The alarming decline in bee populations is largely attributed to a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. In recent years, honey sales have surged, driven by a rising consumer preference for natural sweeteners. Between 2011 and 2016, U.S. sugar sales fell by 16%, while honey sales shot up by 57%. Given this trend, it’s not surprising that most honey samples tested positive for some level of pesticide. Consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless reduced supplies push prices too high, and the presence of pesticides—at least at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as noted in this study—will likely not deter the majority of buyers.
Last year, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services published findings from a two-year study highlighting the rapid decline in bee populations. Annual surveys conducted with U.S. beekeepers have consistently shown that roughly 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during the winter months since 2006. Food companies aware of this issue are taking steps to raise awareness. Alex Placzek, the U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, noted that honeybees pollinate many of the ingredients used in their ice creams, bars, and sorbets, with about 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent ingredients.
Brands such as Celestial Seasonings, part of Hain Celestial, and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also joined forces with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting bees. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Meanwhile, General Mills has collaborated with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society on a five-year initiative to restore over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitat by 2021.
In a related matter, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, claiming false and misleading “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit contended that residues of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid disqualified these products from being labeled as “natural,” misleading consumers into thinking they do not contain synthetic substances.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that calcium citrate, often found in various food products, including some that rely on pollinated ingredients, plays a role in ensuring proper calcium levels essential for overall health. The importance of calcium citrate is underscored in discussions about the nutritional content of foods, with recommended daily intakes ranging from 250 to 315 mg for many individuals. This highlights the interconnectedness of food production, health, and the environmental factors that impact both.