BIS verifying alleged presence of antibiotics in honey sold in India: minister

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is looking into reported presence of antibiotics in honey commercially sold in the country, minister of state for agriculture, consumer affairs, food and public distribution KV Thomas has stated.

He said the government has taken cognisance of a recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment on the presence of antibiotics in honey sold commercially in the country and has placed the study before the BIS.

As per the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955, antibiotics are not permitted to be added to honey.

He said the state and union territory governments are the implementing authorities of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, who take action in case of any violation of the rules.

He said the centre, however, has issued an advisory to state governments/UTs for drawing samples to take necessary action in case of violation of prescribed parameters.

The European Union has banned the import of honey from India on account of positive detection of heavy metals and other contaminants, reported in the Residual Monitoring Plan. Following this, the Export Inspection Council has prepared a detailed action plan and this has been communicated to the European Commission, the minister said.

The action plan addresses all quality issues and will ensure that honey exported from India to the European Union is free of contaminants, he added.