Imported Honey

“Food Detectives on a Tough Case”

By: Peter Andrey Smith

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/science/a-lab-is-trying-to-keep-china-from-dodging-us-tariffs-on-honey.html?ref=science&_r=0

            On average, Americans consume over one pound of honey each year. Most of the honey America receives is imported from China. Americans began to raise the price of the import tariff to collect more money from Chinese merchants. Chinese merchants did not want to pay high taxes on honey, so they began laundering honey. Instead of directly importing honey to America, Chinese merchants would send their honey to other countries. Once the honey arrived, these countries would place a stamp on the honey claiming that it was not from China, so the high tax on honey would not be enforced. Through this process, Chinese merchants would export honey to America while avoiding high taxes on import. 

            To prevent these scandals from continuing, America has funded a lab to examine the honey and determine where it originated. The lab found that 90% of the honey Americans use originated in China, but was imported from other countries, such as Shanghai or South Korea. Scientists in this lab use chemicals to find changes in the honey that are undetectable by taste and sight. This evidence caused federal agents to prosecute American importers for illegally buying Chinese honey without obeying the import tariff. In 2006 the lab found that the honey was not pure. The honey included a blend of rice sweeteners and corn syrup.

            People may not always agree with the laws enforced by the American government. These people try to find ways to obtain cheap products and sell them for high prices. However, the product may not serve its purpose. It is important that products that are purchased are guaranteed to serve its purpose. Without import security, people would purchase products without knowing it may be a variation of the intended product.