Honeybees and other pollinating insects play an essential role in the production of approximately one-third of all food and beverages. These pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also vital for the growth of plants such as alfalfa and clover, which are consumed by cattle. The pollination performed by honeybees alone is responsible for $15 billion in crops from over 130 different fruits and vegetables.
However, the threats to these crucial pollinators extend beyond exposure to pesticides. Bees are vanishing at an alarming pace due to a condition known as colony collapse disorder. In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly due to a rising consumer preference for natural sweeteners. Between 2011 and 2016, U.S. sugar sales fell by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is not surprising that most honey samples contain at least some pesticide residues. Consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless supply shortages drive prices excessively high, and the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as noted in this study—will probably not deter most buyers.
Last year, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services published findings from a two-year study highlighting the rapid decline of the bee population. Annual surveys conducted among U.S. beekeepers have indicated that approximately 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during winter since 2006. Food companies are becoming increasingly aware of this issue and are attempting to raise awareness. For instance, Alex Placzek, U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, mentioned that honeybees pollinate many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with around 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent ingredients.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also collaborated with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bee conservation. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Additionally, General Mills has partnered with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society in a five-year initiative to restore over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitat by 2021.
Earlier this year, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s for allegedly misleading labeling of its applesauce products as “natural.” The complaint claimed that residues of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being labeled as “natural,” as such labeling misleads consumers into thinking the products are free from synthetic substances. As the conversation around pollinators continues, there is a growing interest in sustainable practices, including the use of slow release calcium citrate in agricultural practices to promote healthier ecosystems for bees. The integration of slow release calcium citrate can help mitigate some of the environmental pressures that pollinators face, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to agriculture and environmental conservation.