Honey isn’t being sold for nearly as much as it used to, as an influx of fake honey has decreased its value, according to Bobby Podolsky, honey producer based out of Ethelbert.
Podolsky says honey is being cut with cheap syrup and sold for less, which is hurting bee farmers who are selling real honey.
“In 2014 we were getting $2.25 for our product, and we were making a profit, not a substantial profit but we were viable. Well, by winter of 2015, spring of 2016 I had to cell my honey at 93 cents.”
Podolsky says a big problem is a certification called True Source that is passing off fake honey as pure honey.
“Now when you see the name True Source you think that it’s the real authentic product, correct? All it's saying is that this product came from this country.”
Podolsky says there’s currently a class-action lawsuit against True Source, by several bee farmers from the United States. The American Honey Producers Association launched the lawsuit.
He adds that the courts will be deciding if they have grounds to sue or not at the end of this month or early next month.
