Bill > S1028

This bill establishes a comprehensive Honey Integrity Program to protect the quality and authenticity of honey in the United States. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must create a standard of identity for honey based on United States Pharmacopeia standards. The bill requires qualifying commercial honey packers to conduct rigorous scientific testing on their honey using advanced techniques like DNA testing, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect economically motivated adulteration (intentional tampering to increase a food product's value). Packers must report testing results to the Secretary, immediately report any detected adulteration to law enforcement, and refuse receipt of adulterated honey. The Secretary will investigate and destroy adulterated honey, maintain data on adulteration, and share this information with relevant agencies and stakeholders. The program will be funded through fees collected from qualifying honey packers, which are defined as those paying assessments to the National Honey Board. Additionally, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress within two years detailing enforcement actions taken against adulterated or misbranded honey. The bill aims to ensure the integrity of honey marketed in the United States by implementing stringent testing and reporting requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1028/all-info