Uganda national Bureau of Standard (UNBS), has said trade and production of quality honey in the country is set to improve upon revision and development of the draft Standard for table honey (DEAS 36-1: 2019) Honey Specification.
The East Africa Standards Committee on Apiary and apiary product (EASC/TC 011) developed and revised the Draft East African standards in line with EAC principles and procedures of harmonization of standards.
The standard’s body called upon the public to comment on the suitability of the standard. “The public is called upon to comment on the draft standard starting 23rd October to 22nd December 2019.”
The request letter available on the UNBS Website guides on how and where the comment form should be submitted.
The Draft East African Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for honey produced by honeybees for human consumption.
The Honey shall not have added food ingredient, including food additives, nor shall any other additions be made other than honey, not have any objectionable matter, flavour, aroma, or taint absorbed from foreign matter during its processing and storage.
According to UNBS honey will not have pollen or constituent particular to honey removed except where this is unavoidable in the removal of foreign inorganic or organic matter, not be heated to such an extent that its essential composition and /or its quality is impaired.
“It will not be chemically or biochemically treated to influence honey crystallization, have the colour varying from near colourless to dark brown (amber) depending on the botanical source and have the consistency of fluid, viscous, partly or entirely crystallized.” Reads part of the statement.
The honey will have the flavour and aroma derived from plant origin and be free from visible mould and as far as practicable, be free from inorganic or organic matter foreign to its composition, such as insects, insect debris, brood or grains of sand, or soil, when the honey is offered for sale or is used in any product for human consumption.
It will be packaged in a food grade material that protects the integrity and safety of the product.
