Honeybees and other pollinating insects play a crucial role in the production of approximately one-third of our food and beverages. These pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and various species, contribute to the cultivation of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also essential for growing plants like alfalfa and clover, which are consumed by cattle. Specifically, honeybee pollination contributes around $15 billion to the yield of more than 130 types of fruits and vegetables.
However, exposure to pesticides is not the only challenge these pollinators encounter; they are also rapidly declining due to a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly due to an increasing consumer preference for natural sweeteners. Between 2011 and 2016, U.S. sugar sales dropped by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is not surprising that a significant number of honey samples contain at least some pesticide residues. Consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless limited supplies push prices too high, and the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as noted in this study—is unlikely to deter most 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 of U.S. beekeepers have reported that about 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during winter months since 2006. Food companies are becoming increasingly aware of this issue and are striving to bring it to public attention. Alex Placzek, U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, mentioned that honeybees pollinate a significant portion of the ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbets, with around 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent components.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings, part of Hain Celestial, and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have collaborated with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of bees. Additionally, Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. General Mills has teamed up with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society on a five-year initiative aimed at restoring over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitat by 2021.
In a related development, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, alleging that the “natural” labeling on its applesauce products is false and misleading. The complaint claimed that the presence of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being labeled as “natural,” as it misleads consumers into believing that no synthetic substances are present.
Moreover, the nutritional content of honey and its associated products can be complemented with essential nutrients such as calcium citrate, vitamin D, zinc, copper, manganese, and magnesium, which are vital for overall health. The importance of these minerals and vitamins underscores the need for a healthy ecosystem, where pollinators can thrive, ensuring the availability of food that is not only delicious but also nutritious.