The Youths for Apiculture Initiative (YFAI) has raised alarm over the increasing adulteration of honey in Nigeria and offered practical tips to help consumers identify pure, natural honey for better health outcomes.
The National President of YFAI and CEO of Makizi Raw Honey, Mr. Kingsley Nwaogu shared these insights in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
Nwaogu lamented the widespread difficulty in identifying unadulterated honey in local markets, calling it a “serious concern” for both consumers and ethical producers.
“The most accurate way to determine the purity of honey is through laboratory analysis, but we know that’s not readily available to most consumers,” he said.
Three Simple Tests for Spotting Pure Honey
To bridge the gap, YFAI developed three physical indicators that consumers can use as a guide:
- Colour:
“Pure honey typically has a golden hue. However, this can vary slightly depending on the vegetation surrounding the bee colonies, which affects both the physical and nutritional properties of the honey,” Nwaogu explained.
He warned that honey that is overly thick or extremely dark in color may be a sign of adulteration. - Aftertaste:
“Genuine honey does not leave a lingering sugary aftertaste. Its sweetness fades almost immediately after consumption,” he said. - Viscosity (Flow Consistency):
“This isn’t about thickness but the uniformity in its flow. Pure honey flows smoothly and continuously — it doesn’t break or drip like engine oil,” he added.
To protect consumers and restore trust in local honey, YFAI has launched a system of identification numbers for verified beekeepers.
“We provide ID cards with unique numbers to authentic honey producers. Consumers can request to see a beekeeper’s ID and verify their membership in the association before making a purchase,” Nwaogu said.
YFAI also conducts training and sensitisation for new entrants in the beekeeping industry, focusing on modern, ethical honey production practices.
“Consumers should always ask questions about the source and traceability of the honey they buy,” he advised.
Nwaogu stressed that improving the quality and integrity of honey production could significantly boost local productivity and support export potential.
“If we can reorient producers to prioritise quality over profit, the value chain will grow. Adulteration may bring short-term gain, but it undermines long-term growth and export opportunities,” he warned.
He added that honest beekeeping not only provides nutritional products like honey and beeswax but also enhances the pollination of food crops and wild plants, contributing to broader agricultural sustainability.
“Beekeeping is not just about profit — it’s about health, ecology, and food security,” he concluded.
