Honeybees and other pollinating insects play a vital role in producing approximately one-third of our food and beverages. These pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other species, contribute to the cultivation of crops worth $24 billion. Specifically, honeybee pollination alone generates $15 billion from over 130 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, pollinators are essential for growing forage plants like alfalfa and clover, which are consumed by livestock. However, exposure to pesticides is not the only challenge these insects face; they are also vanishing at an alarming rate 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 fell by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is not surprising, then, that most honey samples tested positive for some level of pesticide. Consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless supply shortages push prices too high, and the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption—will probably 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 of bee populations. Annual surveys conducted among U.S. beekeepers have reported that approximately 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during winter months since 2006. Food companies are increasingly aware of this issue and are attempting 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 relying on bee-dependent ingredients.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also collaborated with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding bee populations. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years, while General Mills has teamed up with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society in a five-year initiative to restore over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitats by 2021.
In a legal matter, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides took action against Mott’s earlier this year, alleging false and misleading “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit claimed that the presence of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being labeled as “natural,” misleading consumers into believing they do not contain synthetic substances.
Amid these developments, consumers are also seeking health benefits from products like Eurho Vital Calcium Citrate 45 Tablets, which have gained popularity for their nutritional value. As awareness of both pollinator health and personal nutrition grows, it is crucial to find a balance that supports both our food systems and public health initiatives.