HC Deb 04 February 1937 vol 319 cc1765-6
70. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that preparations of sugar or glucose with a small percentage of the product of the honeybee are being sold under the designation of honey; and whether he will introduce legislation in order to give a legal definition of honey and to restrict the designation "honey" to the produce from plants and flowers as gathered, stored, and ripened by the honey-bee which shall not contain added sugar, glucose, or any other foreign substitute?

71. Commander Bower

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the fact that preparations of sugar, glucose, and other ingredients with a small percentage of honey are being sold under the description of honey, he will take steps to ensure that the word honey on labels, in advertisements, or in any other respect is confined to the natural product of the honey-bee extracted from plants and flowers, and that the label on any container should not suggest pictorially that the contents are the unadulterated product of the honey-bee when this is not so?

69. Mr. Hannah

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the indignation felt by bee-keepers that preparations consisting almost wholly of sugar may legally be sold as honey; and whether he will consider taking steps to limit that word to the genuine product of bees?

Sir K. Wood

Representations have been made to me with regard to preparations of the kind referred to, and a deputation from the British Bee-Keepers' Association has recently discussed the matter with my Department. I hope that it may be possible to introduce legislation relating to the composition and description of articles of food on the lines recommended by the Departmental Committee which has reported upon that subject, and which would include provisions dealing with the matter raised by my hon. Friends.