Honeybees and other pollinating insects play a vital role in producing approximately one-third of all our foods and beverages. These essential creatures, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of $24 billion worth of crops. Pollinators are also crucial for growing plants consumed by livestock, such as alfalfa and clover. The pollination by honeybees alone is responsible for $15 billion in crops, which includes over 130 varieties of fruits and vegetables.
However, exposure to pesticides isn’t the sole danger that these pollinators encounter. Honeybee populations are declining at an alarming rate due to a condition known as colony collapse disorder. In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly because of 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’s not surprising that many honey samples contain some level of pesticide. Consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey unless supply shortages drive prices too high. The presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as indicated by some studies—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 that highlighted the rapid decline of bee populations. Annual surveys conducted since 2006 have shown that about 29% of honeybee colonies die each winter.
Food companies are increasingly aware of this issue and are working to raise awareness. Alex Placzek, the U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, noted that honeybees pollinate many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with approximately 40% of their flavors relying on bee-dependent ingredients. Other brands, such as 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” campaigns in recent years. Furthermore, General Mills has teamed up with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society in a five-year initiative aimed at restoring over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitats by 2021.
In a related development, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, accusing the company of misleading consumers with “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit claims that the presence 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.
Amidst these concerns, health-conscious consumers are also exploring options like gnc chewable calcium citrate, which offers an alternative source of nutrition. This awareness of both pollinator health and personal health is crucial as we strive to create a sustainable food system that benefits both bees and consumers alike.