Honeybees and various other pollinating insects play a vital role in producing nearly one-third of all our food and beverages. These creatures, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the production of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also crucial for cultivating plants like alfalfa and clover, which serve as food for cattle. Specifically, honeybee pollination is responsible for a staggering $15 billion in crops, encompassing over 130 different fruits and vegetables. However, exposure to pesticides is not the sole threat these pollinators encounter. The alarming decline in bee populations is largely attributed to a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder.
In recent years, honey sales have surged, partly due to an increasing consumer preference for natural sweeteners. Between 2011 and 2016, U.S. sugar sales plummeted by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is therefore not surprising that most honey samples contain some level of pesticide. Unless limited supplies drive prices too high, consumers are likely to continue purchasing honey. Moreover, the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as this study observed—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 in bee populations. Annual surveys of U.S. beekeepers have shown that approximately 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during the winter months since 2006. Food companies that are aware of this issue are striving to raise awareness. Alex Placzek, the marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, noted that honeybees pollinate many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbets, with around 40% of Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-dependent components.
Brands like Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have partnered with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting bee populations. Whole Foods has initiated events such as “Human Bee-In” and promotions like “Give Bees A Chance” in recent years. Additionally, General Mills has collaborated with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society on a five-year initiative aimed at restoring over 100,000 acres of pollinator habitats by 2021.
In a related matter, the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s earlier this year, claiming false and misleading “natural” labeling on its applesauce products. The lawsuit contended that the presence of residues from the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid should disqualify these products from being marketed as “natural” and misleads consumers into believing that they are free from synthetic substances.
In this context, the importance of maintaining biodiversity and supporting pollinators cannot be overstated, as they are crucial for ensuring the availability of the calcium citrate electrolyte necessary for healthy ecosystems and food production. As awareness grows, it is essential to prioritize the preservation of these vital species.