In today’s global food & beverage ingredient market, traceability is no longer optional. For honey, it is essential. As one of the most adulterated foods in the world, honey has faced ongoing challenges with mislabeling, illegal imports, and dilution with syrups. This problem is growing and getting worse rapidly without government regulation and monitoring. That is why programs like True Source Honey Certification have become so important to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who want confidence in what they buy.
What Is True Source Honey Certification?
True Source Honey Certification is an independent, third-party program designed specifically for the honey industry. It was launched in 2010 to address the problem of illegally sourced and adulterated honey entering global supply chains.
The program verifies that honey is:
- Fully traceable from hive to final product
- Authentically produced by honeybees
- Sourced in compliance with international trade laws
- Audited and tested by independent third parties
Today, the program includes hundreds of members across the supply chain, from beekeepers to packers and importers, and a significant portion of honey sold in North America carries the certification.
The Technical Side of Traceability
True Source Certification is not a simple label claim. It involves a structured system of documentation, testing, and audits.
1) Supply Chain Documentation
Every participant in the supply chain must maintain records showing the origin of the honey, its transportation, and its handling. This creates a traceable path from the beekeeper to the final packaged product.
2) Third-Party Audits
Certified companies undergo regular audits to confirm that their sourcing practices and documentation meet program standards. These audits help prevent illegal transshipping and ensure accurate country-of-origin claims.
3) Laboratory Testing
Honey samples are analyzed using advanced techniques, including pollen analysis and other authenticity tests. These methods help confirm the floral source and geographic origin, and detect adulteration or contamination.
This multi-layered approach is what separates True Source from basic internal testing or one-time verification methods.
Why True Source Honey Matters to the Food & Beverage Industry
Honey fraud does not just affect a single product. It undermines the entire supply chain.
When adulterated or illegally sourced honey enters the market:
- Honest beekeepers are undercut by cheaper, fraudulent imports
- Food brands risk recalls, legal issues, and reputational damage
- Consumers lose trust in ingredient claims
- There are less bees and beekeepers to pollinate the global agricultural food supply
Traceability programs like True Source Honey help protect every part of the ecosystem. They create accountability at each step of the supply chain and set a consistent standard for authenticity, regardless of where the honey is produced.
For food manufacturers, foodservice operators and private label brands, this level of verification is especially important. Many companies rely on honey as a key ingredient, and they need confidence that it meets labeling, safety, and sourcing requirements. True Source Certification provides documentation and verification that can support regulatory compliance and brand credibility.
Moving Toward a More Transparent Supply Chain
As consumers demand more transparency, traceability is becoming a competitive advantage. Brands are no longer judged only by the ingredients on the label, but also by how those ingredients are sourced and verified.
True Source Honey Certification represents a shift toward a more accountable and transparent honey industry. It replaces vague claims with documented proof and independent verification. For companies that want to protect their brand and deliver authentic products, that level of assurance is invaluable.
Partner With GloryBee for True Source Certified Honey
At GloryBee, for over 50 years traceability and authenticity are at the core of everything we do. Our honey is sourced through trusted supply chains and verified through third-party True Source Certification, giving our partners confidence in every drum and jar.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier of certified, traceable honey, request a free quote today and allow us to support your formulations with honey you can trust.