Pollinators like honeybees and other insects play an essential role in producing approximately one-third of the food and beverages we consume. Bees, butterflies, and various species contribute to generating $24 billion worth of crops. They are also crucial for cultivating plants like alfalfa and clover, which are vital for livestock. Specifically, honeybee pollination is responsible for $15 billion in the production of over 130 different fruits and vegetables.
However, the threats to these pollinators extend beyond pesticide exposure. Honeybee populations are declining rapidly due to a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. Meanwhile, honey sales have surged in recent years, partly driven by 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 is not surprising that most honey samples contain some level of pesticide. Most consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless limited supplies push prices too high; the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as noted in this study—will probably not deter them.
Last year, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services released findings from a two-year study highlighting the rapid decline of bee populations. Annual surveys conducted among U.S. beekeepers have revealed that about 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during the winter months since 2006.
Food companies are taking steps to address this pressing issue. For instance, Alex Placzek, the U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, emphasized that honeybees pollinate many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with approximately 40% of all Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent ingredients. Other brands, such as Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also teamed up with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to supporting bees. Whole Foods has initiated the “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years, while General Mills has collaborated with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society in a five-year initiative aiming to restore over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitats by 2021.
In a related legal matter, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, accusing the company of misleading consumers with “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit contended that the presence of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify the products from being labeled as “natural,” as such labeling misleads consumers into believing that the products are free of synthetic substances.
In discussions about health and dietary supplements, a question often arises: are calcium and calcium citrate the same? This distinction is crucial for consumers seeking to understand the differences between various calcium supplements and their effects on health. Understanding these differences can help consumers make informed decisions about their dietary choices.