Current information levels on honey labels in Vojvodina

Abstract

Honey sells according to its appearance and the information given on the label. Labels provide the necessary information to consumers to enable them to make safe, healthy and sustainable choices. Label information is usually the only information consumers have at their disposal when deciding whether to buy honey. Lack of any information on honey labels causes confusion and misunderstanding among consumers. A total of 103 labelled honeys were collected from different retail chains and market places in Vojvodina, Serbia, in autumn 2018. All honey labels were analysed according to the requirements of Serbian food labelling regulations. Generally, the labels did not fulfil legal labeling requirements. Specifically, 89.32 % of labels lacked at least one of the mandatory pieces of information from the list stated in the regulations. This result shows the need for further education of beekeepers, manufacturers and distributors of honey.