Honeybees and other pollinating insects play an essential role in producing approximately one-third of all our food and beverages. These vital creatures, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also crucial for growing plants like alfalfa and clover, which are consumed by cattle. Specifically, honeybee pollination alone is responsible for $15 billion in crops, encompassing over 130 varieties of fruits and vegetables.
However, exposure to pesticides is not the sole threat these pollinators confront. Bees are vanishing at an alarming pace due to a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly because of an increasing consumer preference for natural sweeteners. From 2011 to 2016, U.S. sugar sales fell by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It’s not surprising that most honey samples contain some level of pesticide. Enthusiasts will likely keep purchasing it unless limited supplies drive prices too high, and the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as noted in this study—will probably not deter most buyers.
A two-year study released last year by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services highlighted the rapid decline in bee populations. Annual surveys of U.S. beekeepers have indicated that roughly 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during the winter since 2006. Food companies that recognize the problem are actively seeking to raise awareness. Alex Placzek, U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, noted that honeybees pollinate many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with around 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors containing bee-dependent components.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings, a Hain Celestial product, and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also partnered with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to helping bees. Whole Foods has introduced “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Furthermore, 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.
Earlier this year, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s for allegedly misleading “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The complaint argued that residues of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being labeled “natural,” as such labeling misleads consumers into thinking the products are free from synthetic substances.
In the context of promoting bee health and sustainability, incorporating nature’s way calcium and magnesium citrate into agricultural practices could be beneficial. By integrating this natural supplement, farmers might enhance soil health and plant resilience, which can indirectly support bee populations. Thus, the connection between sustainable agriculture and the health of pollinators is critical, and efforts to promote bee-friendly practices should include the use of nature’s way calcium and magnesium citrate to foster a healthier ecosystem.