Fake Honey in Singapore: CNA Investigation Reveals the Truth

Fake Honey – A Widespread Issue

Honey is one of nature’s sweetest gifts, but not all honey on store shelves is real honey. In fact, honey is considered the world’s third most adulterated food globally. Unscrupulous suppliers dilute genuine honey with cheap sugar syrups (like corn or rice syrup), or even feed bees sugar water to produce a honey-like product. The result? You might be paying for a jar that’s half honey, half plain sugar, with none of the natural goodness of pure honey.

Why does this matter? For one, fake honey cheats you of the very benefits that make real honey special. Authentic honey is packed with natural enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties from floral nectar. Adulterated honey, by contrast, is essentially sugar syrup – it lacks the nutrients and may even carry unwanted additives. In fact, tests have found that some adulterated honey contains antibiotics, toxins or other harmful substances. Simply put, fake honey isn’t just a rip-off; it can undermine the health benefits of honey and even introduce risks that pure honey wouldn’t.

CNA Honey Investigation: Fake Honey Found on Singapore Shelves

This isn’t just a global problem – Singapore is not immune to the sticky issue of fake honey. A recent investigation by Channel NewsAsia’s Talking Point programme (titled “Honey: What Are You Really Buying?”) shone a spotlight on what’s really in our honey jars. The CNA team tested 18 different honey products from major supermarkets around Singapore, all marketed as “100% pure” or “raw” honey. The findings were eye-opening: several of these supposedly pure honeys turned out to be adulterated with sugar syrups. In one case, a premium-priced honey was revealed to be over 50% added sugar – a shocking discovery for consumers who thought they were buying the best.

The CNA honey investigation has left many Singaporeans asking: “How can I tell if a honey is real or fake?” and “Which brands can I trust?” When even well-known brands on supermarket shelves might not be delivering what they promise, it’s more important than ever to know how to identify real honey and choose a trusted honey source.

Real vs. Fake Honey: How to Find a Trusted Honey Brand

Not all honey is created equal, and telling real honey apart from fake honey can be tricky just by taste or looks. While definitive proof requires lab testing, there are several steps you can take to improve your odds of getting trusted honey in Singapore. Here are some tips for spotting authentic honey and choosing a reliable brand:

• Check the Source – Look at the honey’s label for origin and producer details. Trustworthy brands are transparent about where their honey comes from and who harvested it. If a label is vague – for example, only saying “Packed in Singapore” or not listing a specific country of origin – be cautious. Single-origin honey from reputable regions (such as Australia or New Zealand) is often a safer bet than mystery blends from various countries.

• Raw and Unprocessed – Raw honey that hasn’t been overheated or ultra-filtered is a good sign. Raw honey retains pollen particles, enzymes, and other trace nutrients that indicate authenticity. Ultra-clear, super-smooth honey may look pretty, but it could have been heat-pasteurised or finely filtered to the point of stripping away natural qualities (or to hide syrup mixing). Real pure honey often crystallises over time or varies slightly in color and texture with each batch – and that’s actually a mark of authenticity. Don’t assume crystallisation means the honey is “bad” – it can be a clue that it’s unadulterated and minimally processed.

• Ethical Beekeeping Practices – Brands that follow bee-friendly, sustainable beekeeping tend to produce purer honey. Practices like feeding bees sugar syrup or over-harvesting too much honey from hives can compromise quality. Reputable beekeepers let their bees feast on natural floral nectar and ensure the colony keeps enough of its own honey for nourishment. They also avoid using harmful pesticides or antibiotics in the hives, so nothing nasty ends up in your jar. A company that emphasizes ethical, natural beekeeping is more likely to offer real honey rather than fake blends. (Tip: Check the brand’s story or website – do they talk about their beekeeping methods? Transparent details here are a good sign of a trustworthy honey producer.)

• Lab Testing and Certifications – Some reliable honey brands invest in independent lab tests to verify their honey’s purity and quality. These tests can detect added sugars and even determine the honey’s floral origin. Look for mentions of quality seals, lab results, or certifications on the packaging or the brand’s website. For example, tests for Total Activity (TA) or a pollen analysis can confirm a honey’s botanical source and its antibacterial strength. A truly trusted honey brand will be proud to share its test reports or certifications as proof that their honey is 100% real. If you’re unsure, you can even contact the brand to ask if they have lab results – genuine producers will gladly provide them.

• Price and Reputation – While a high price tag isn’t a guarantee of purity, very cheap honey is a red flag. If a jar of honey is being sold far below the typical market price, you have to wonder how they managed to produce it so cheaply. Adulteration with syrup is one likely answer. Be willing to pay a fair price for quality honey – you generally get what you pay for. Also, buy from established sources whenever possible: well-known health stores, farmers’ markets, or directly from reputable beekeepers. Do a bit of homework on the brand: How long have they been around? Do they explain how their honey is made? Consistent positive reviews and a transparent background are good indicators that you’ve found a honey you can trust.

By following the above tips, you’ll greatly improve your chances of getting real honey instead of an imposter. But rather than playing detective with every purchase, wouldn’t it be nice to have a go-to local brand that you know provides pure, unadulterated honey? This is where Bee Bee Natural comes in.

Bee Bee Natural: Pure Honey You Can Trust

When it comes to trusted honey in Singapore, Bee Bee Natural is a name that stands out. The company was founded by a Singaporean beekeeper with a passion for authenticity, and it shows in every jar. Bee Bee Natural’s honey comes straight from Western Australia’s pristine forests, where the founder manages his own hives and harvests the honey himself. By sourcing from a single, clean region (rather than blending honey from all over), Bee Bee Natural ensures tight quality control and traceability from hive to table.

What truly sets Bee Bee Natural apart is its uncompromising commitment to purity and quality:

• Truly Raw & Unprocessed – Bee Bee Natural honey is never super-heated or micro-filtered. The honey is cold-processed and unpasteurised (never “cooked”), so all the natural enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants remain intact – just as nature intended. You might notice that this raw honey can crystallise or each batch might look a little different in color or flavor. That’s a good thing, because it means it’s 100% natural honey with minimal handling, not a heavily processed syrup.

• Ethical, Bee-Friendly Practices – The bees’ welfare comes first. Unlike industrial honey packers, Bee Bee Natural’s beekeeper does not bulk-feed sugar syrup to the bees or strip the hives of honey stores. The bees forage freely on wildflowers (including seasonal blooms like Jarrah and Red Gum) and always keep plenty of their own honey for the hive’s needs. No artificial diets, no excessive stress on the colonies. Additionally, the hives are managed without pesticides or antibiotics, so there are no chemical residues in the honey. By working in harmony with nature, the result is honey that is pure, clean, and as nature intended – with no need for any dilution or additives.

• Single-Origin from Western Australia – Western Australia is renowned for its clean environment, unique flora, and strict biosecurity (it’s one of the rare regions in the world still free of the Varroa mite that plagues bees elsewhere). Bee Bee Natural takes full advantage of this pristine setting. Each variety of honey (from Jarrah to Red Gum to multifloral bush honey) is a single-origin product coming from specific forests in WA. The honey is not mixed with other sources – so you can truly taste the distinct floral character of each type. This single-origin approach also means every batch is fully traceable. When you buy Bee Bee Natural honey, you know exactly where it came from and who harvested it.

• Lab-Tested for Purity & Potency – Every batch of Bee Bee Natural honey is lab-tested to confirm there are no added sugars and to measure its natural potency. In fact, Bee Bee Natural’s signature Jarrah honey has an extraordinarily high Total Activity (TA) rating. Its latest harvest tested at TA 63+, classifying it as a medicinal-grade honey with exceptional antibacterial strength. (For comparison, most regular raw honeys have much lower activity levels.) This gives you peace of mind that what you’re consuming isn’t just free of adulteration – it’s also packed with beneficial properties. The lab tests verify that you’re getting 100% real honey, rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant power. Bee Bee Natural is fully transparent with these results, so customers can see proof of purity. (Fun fact: Jarrah honey is even lower in natural sugars than typical honey, which contributes to a lower Glycaemic Index – great for those watching their sugar intake.)

• Transparent & Trustworthy – Bee Bee Natural believes in total honesty about its products. From sharing the beekeeping philosophy and harvesting methods, to answering customer questions directly (you can even WhatsApp the beekeeper, Chris, for a chat!), the brand is refreshingly transparent. There are no vague marketing gimmicks – you learn exactly how the honey is made and what makes it special. This level of openness is a hallmark of a truly trustworthy honey brand. It’s no surprise that Bee Bee Natural has quickly gained a reputation as Singapore’s most trustworthy honey source – it consistently delivers what it promises: real honey, harvested with integrity.

In short, Bee Bee Natural checks all the boxes for authentic, high-quality honey. It gives Singaporeans an easy and reliable way to enjoy pure honey straight from a beekeeper who cares deeply about his craft. When you buy from Bee Bee Natural, you’re not only getting delicious honey – you’re also supporting ethical beekeeping and getting a product verified for its purity.

The Sweet Benefits of Choosing Pure Honey

Beyond the peace of mind that you’re getting the real thing, choosing pure honey over processed sugar comes with added perks. Real honey isn’t just a sweetener – it’s a source of natural nutrients and health benefits. Pure honey contains trace vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that simply don’t exist in refined sugar. Importantly for the health-conscious, honey has a lower Glycaemic Index (GI) than table sugar. On average, honey’s GI is around 55, compared to about 68 for sugar. This means honey causes a slower, lower rise in blood glucose levels, so it’s gentler on your bloodstream and may be a slightly healthier choice for your sweet tooth. Many Singaporeans trying to cut down on refined sugar have found that switching to a trusted honey for tea, coffee, or baking allows them to indulge in sweetness with less guilt.

Remember, though, that these benefits only apply if your honey is real. Adulterated honey that’s half sugar syrup won’t give you any better health advantages than plain sugar! That’s why sourcing authentic honey is so important. When you have a bottle of genuine, raw honey (like Bee Bee Natural’s honey) in your kitchen, you’re not just treating your taste buds – you’re also doing a favour for your health by choosing a more natural sweetener.

To make it even easier to enjoy the benefits of real honey, Bee Bee Natural offers a convenient Honey Gold Subscription service. If you’re a regular honey user, you can subscribe and get your favourite pure honey delivered to your door on a monthly basis – ensuring you never run out of quality honey. Subscribers enjoy significant discounts on each jar and free islandwide delivery within Singapore, so it’s a great value for those who’ve made the switch to natural sweetness. This way, you’ll always have authentic honey on hand for your daily use, without the worry of picking up a dubious bottle from a random store.

Conclusion

The recent CNA honey expose has made one thing clear: when it comes to honey, knowledge and trust are key. Fake honey is more common than most of us ever realized, and even well-known retail brands might not be giving you the pure honey you think you’re buying. However, as a consumer, you’re not powerless. By educating yourself and choosing brands that uphold strict purity standards, you can enjoy honey the way it’s meant to be – pure, safe, and full of natural goodness.

For Singaporeans, Bee Bee Natural stands out as a shining example of what a trusted honey brand should be. From ethical beekeeping practices and rigorous testing, to the superb flavour and health benefits of its raw Western Australian honey, Bee Bee Natural offers a sweet experience you can genuinely trust. There’s no need to settle for questionable supermarket honey or wonder “Is this real?” every time you drizzle honey on your toast. With Bee Bee Natural, you can buy with confidence, knowing that every jar is the real deal – 100% pure honey with nothing added and nothing to hide.

Don’t let the issue of fake honey discourage you from enjoying nature’s golden treasure. Instead, empower yourself by choosing authentic honey from a trusted source. Once you taste the difference that real, unadulterated honey brings – the rich aroma, the complex flavour, the wholesome goodness – you’ll never want to go back. So go ahead and make the switch to truly pure honey. Your taste buds (and your health) will thank you, and you’ll be supporting honest producers who keep this tradition alive. In a world full of imitations, let’s stick to the real sweetness straight from the hive.