March 14, 2025 | Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), joined by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) as a cosponsor, introduced the Honey Integrity Act to establish a national standard for honey, enhance enforcement against fraudulent honey sales, and protect American beekeepers. The bill, led in the Senate by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), strengthens consumer confidence in honey products without expanding government bureaucracy.

“I’m introducing the Honey Integrity Act in the House to crack down on the mislabeling and sale of fake products to American consumers. This bill establishes clear standards for honey and accountability for bad actors without adding more government red tape. Families have the right to know the honey they are buying is real. I thank Senator Tommy Tuberville for leading on this issue in the Senate and Rep. Jimmy Panetta for his support in the House. We must protect American honey producers and make sure consumers get the quality produce they pay for at the grocery store.” —Congressman Greg Steube

“Fraudulent honey imports undercut American beekeepers and mislead consumers. The Honey Integrity Act will help protect the industry by cracking down on adulterated honey and ensuring transparency in the marketplace.  Honey producers across the country, including those in California, work hard to ensure the integrity of their product and we need to give them a level playing field.” –Congressman Jimmy Panetta

“Honey producers across America work hard to deliver a pure, natural product, but bad actors are undermining our efforts by flooding the market with adulterated honey. I am proud to co-lead this legislation that will ensure accountability by requiring reports on enforcement actions through the establishment of the Honey Integrity Program. As a beekeeper myself, I will always fight to protect consumers and our domestic honey industry. By strengthening testing and transparency, we can crack down on fraud and defend the integrity of American honey.” –Congressman Mike Ezell

“Honey is one of nature’s greatest antioxidants, providing many wonderful health benefits. America’s beekeepers and honey producers work tirelessly to ensure that we have access to pure, quality honey. But sadly, the lack of uniform standards is creating loopholes that foreign honey producers are increasingly exploiting. Our honey producers deserve a level playing field, and Americans deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to secure our nation’s honey industry, support our domestic beekeepers and increase food transparency for Americans.” –Senator Tommy Tuberville

Key Provisions of the Honey Integrity Act:

• Creates a Federal Standard of Identity for Honey: Requires the FDA to establish a formal definition and standard for honey to prevent mislabeling and ensure product integrity.
• Enhances Federal Oversight: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress detailing enforcement actions against adulterated and misbranded honey.
• Mandates the Destruction of Adulterated Honey: Ensures that when fraudulent honey is identified, it is destroyed— protecting consumers and honest beekeepers.
• Strengthens Consumer Protection Without Expanding Government: Holds fraudulent sellers accountable while avoiding unnecessary government expansion, fees, or regulatory burdens.
• Accountability Without Government Overreach: The Honey Integrity Act creates the Honey Integrity Program, an enforcement mechanism to stop those who misrepresent or knowingly sells adulterated or misbranded honey. This program will be created without requiring additional federal employees or costly government programs.

The bill has received support from several organizations including the American Honey Producers Association and American Beekeeping Federation.

“The American Honey Producers Association applauds Representative Steube, Senator Tuberville, and Representative Panetta for introducing the Honey Integrity Act. For years, America’s beekeepers have sought adequate protections against adulteration of the honey supply on behalf of consumers and beekeepers alike. This legislation takes critical steps forward in addressing adulteration so that consumers can be confident that their honey is natural, wholesome, and healthy. The legislation will also help level the playing field for honest American beekeepers who have had to compete against adulterated products for too many years. We look forward to working with Congress and FDA in implementing this common-sense legislation to restore fairness in the marketplace and certainty for the consumer.” —Steven Coy, President, American Honey Producers Association

“As a commercial beekeeper from Montana and  president of the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) a national organization representing beekeepers in all 50 states from hobbyists to commercial operations, on behalf of ABF we strongly support the Honey Integrity Act. ABF is grateful to Congressmen Stuebe and Panetta on their sponsorship of this critical legislation .  We were pleased to work closely with Congressman Stuebe a beekeeper himself, on the need for this legislation to protect U.S beekeepers and U.S. consumers from economically adulterated honey from entering the country.  ABF looks forward to working closely with the legislations sponsors to see this much needed legislation become law.” —Patty Sundberg, President of American Beekeeping Federation.
 
Read the full bill text here.