Honeybees and other pollinating insects play a vital role in the production of approximately one-third of all our food and beverages. These pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contribute to the cultivation of crops valued at $24 billion. They are also essential for the growth of plants like alfalfa and clover, which are crucial for cattle feed. The pollination provided by honeybees alone is responsible for $15 billion worth of crops from over 130 different fruits and vegetables. However, exposure to pesticides is not the only danger these pollinators face. Bees are vanishing at an alarming rate due to a condition 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 fell by 16%, while honey sales skyrocketed by 57%. It is not surprising that most honey samples contain some level of pesticide. Consumers are likely to keep purchasing honey unless supply constraints drive the price too high, and the presence of pesticides—at levels deemed safe for human consumption, as indicated by recent studies—is unlikely to deter most buyers.
Last year, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services released findings from a two-year study highlighting the rapid decline of bee populations. Annual surveys conducted among U.S. beekeepers have noted that around 29% of honeybee colonies have perished during the winter months since 2006. Food companies that are aware of this issue are taking steps to raise awareness. Alex Placzek, the U.S. marketing director for Häagen-Dazs, mentioned that honeybees are responsible for pollinating many ingredients used in their ice cream, bars, and sorbet, with about 40% of all Häagen-Dazs flavors relying on bee-pollinated ingredients.
Brands such as Celestial Seasonings from Hain Celestial and Talenti, a Unilever brand, have also teamed up with the Xerces Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting bees. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Additionally, General Mills has collaborated 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.
Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Mott’s, alleging that their “natural” labeling on applesauce products was false and misleading. The complaint argued 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.
Moreover, the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems is echoed in discussions about life extension, including products like calcium citrate with vitamin D, which contribute to overall health and longevity. The interconnection between pollinator health and our own well-being reinforces the need for sustainable practices that protect both our food sources and our environment.