MANY visitors to Futian District’s Lianhua Hill Park have lately purchased honey sold by vendors doing business there, but experienced beekeepers are warning that the sweet stuff may include sweetened water and artificial flavors, reported Shenzhen Economic Daily.

    The honey peddlers operating in the park typically claim that they are beekeepers and their product is “natural and fresh.” They invite passing park visitors to taste their product then, of course, attempt to close the deal.

    One peddler interviewed said his honey comes from his hometown, Heyuan, and that it has high nutritious value. Litchi honey is sold for 50 yuan (US$8) per kg and honey collected in winter costs 100 yuan per kg, he said.

    “My honey sells quite well. I earn thousands of yuan every day,” another peddler said.

    But the honey is sold in bottles with no label indicating its origin and contents.

    After sampling the peddlers’ wares, a local beekeeper for more than 30 years said the honey is likely blended with sugar, water and artificial flavoring.

    Another experienced beekeeper suggested that people should not buy honey products without indication of origin or those sold by a vendor not holding a proper license. He said the yield of honey is low across China, so it’s impossible to have so much natural honey available on the market.

    Neither the park nor the local agriculture department has the right to restrict the peddlers. Shao Zhifang, with Lianhua Hill Park, said they’ve suggested to park visitors that they not buy honey from peddlers, but the park management officers cannot ban the peddlers from entering the park.

    A professional beekeeper surnamed Chen said buyers can distinguish authentic honey from blended honey by observing its color, taste and deposits. Deposits within authentic honey are fine and soft, while deposits of honey blended with sugar are usually coarse and hard, he added.

    (Zhang Yang)