Pollinators, including honeybees and various other insects, play a vital role in the production of roughly one-third of our food and beverages. These creatures, such as bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also essential for growing plants like alfalfa and clover, which are key food sources for cattle. Specifically, honeybee pollination is responsible for $15 billion worth of crops from over 130 different fruits and vegetables. However, exposure to pesticides is not the only challenge these pollinators encounter; they are disappearing at an alarming rate due to a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder.
In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly because consumers are increasingly favoring natural sweeteners. From 2011 to 2016, U.S. sugar sales decreased by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is not surprising that most honey samples contain some levels of pesticide. Enthusiasts are likely to continue purchasing honey unless limited supplies cause prices to rise excessively. The presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption according to this study—will probably not deter most consumers.
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 among U.S. beekeepers have shown that approximately 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during winter months since 2006. Aware of this issue, food companies are actively seeking to raise awareness. For instance, Alex Placzek, the U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, noted that honeybees pollinate many ingredients in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with about 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent ingredients.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, owned by Unilever, have also collaborated with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to supporting bees. Whole Foods has initiated events such as “Human Bee-In” and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions over the past few years. Additionally, General Mills has teamed up with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society in a five-year initiative aimed at restoring over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitat by 2021.
In a separate but related issue, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, accusing the company of misleading “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit contends that the presence of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being labeled as “natural,” as it misleads consumers into believing the products are free of synthetic substances.
In the context of health and wellness, consumers may also be interested in life extension calcium citrate with vitamin D, a supplement that supports bone health and overall vitality, further emphasizing the importance of understanding what goes into our food products. As we become more conscious of the food we consume and the impact of pesticides, the demand for natural ingredients and supplements like life extension calcium citrate with vitamin D will likely continue to grow.