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Thought this might be a good board to post this about bad honey brands sold in the US. If you have locally-sold honey it's likely your best choice.
But Grok clears Sue Bee due to a survey in 2023 and tests run on its brand in 2025.
Here's more from Grok on the topic: Based on various reports and investigations into honey quality in the US, "bad" honey brands typically refer to those accused of selling adulterated, ultra-filtered, or heavily processed products. This often means the honey is diluted with cheaper sweeteners like corn syrup, rice syrup, or sugar water; stripped of pollen (which helps verify origin and authenticity); heated to high temperatures (destroying enzymes, antioxidants, and health benefits); or sourced from questionable imports (e.g., laundered through other countries to bypass regulations). Such practices are driven by economic motives, and studies like those from the FDA and independent tests have found 10-70% of US honey samples may be affected, depending on the source.
Note that not all products from these brands are necessarily fake—issues can vary by batch, and some brands have faced lawsuits or recalls. However, the following are frequently cited in articles, tests, and consumer reports as ones to avoid due to these concerns. I've grouped them by common themes from reliable sources:
### Store Brand Honeys from Major Retailers (Often Ultra-Filtered or Adulterated) These are private-label products from big chains, commonly flagged for lacking pollen, being overly processed, or containing additives: - **Walmart Great Value Honey** (including Raw variants): Accused of heavy processing despite "raw" claims, potential adulteration with syrups, and stripping of nutrients. - **Kirkland Signature (Costco) Honey Bear**: Often imported and ultra-filtered, diluted with cheap syrups, and lacking pollen or medicinal compounds. - **Target Market Pantry and Archer Farms**: Subject to lawsuits for ultra-filtration removing pollen, making it not qualify as true honey under some standards. - **Walgreens Nice or Light Amber Honey**: Highly processed, heated, and stripped of enzymes/vitamins; often functions just as a sweetener without health benefits. - **Aldi Berryhill Clover or Private Label Honey**: Linked to adulteration risks from added syrups, ultra-filtration, and lack of origin transparency. - **Kroger Wildflower Honey**: Heated at high temps, leading to toxic HMF compounds and loss of benefits; misleading labels. - **CVS/Pharmacy Honey**: Adulterated with syrups, ultra-filtered, and from questionable imports. - **Publix Orange Blossom or Pure Clover Honey**: Involved in lawsuits for being ultra-filtered and pollen-free. - **Lidl Private Label Honey**: Blends with poor transparency, potential adulteration. - **Safeway Signature Select Honey**: Zero pollen detected in tests, indicating ultra-filtration and high-heat processing. - **Whole Foods 365 Organic Mountain Forest Honey**: Heated and stripped of nutrients, not truly raw despite claims.
### Other Commercial Brands Flagged for Issues - **Nature Nate’s Honey**: Marketed as raw/unfiltered but often heated, with high HMF levels and possible syrup additives. (Note: Some sources recommend it for authenticity testing, showing conflicting reports.) - **Busy Bee Honey**: Adulterated, ultra-filtered, and diluted with non-honey sweeteners. - **Golden Blossom Honey**: Similar issues with imports, filtration, and additives. - **Queen Bee Gardens (Whipped Honey)**: Recalled for stainless steel fragments; processing concerns. - **Wrights Manuka Honey**: Contains glyphosate residues above safe limits.
Many of these stem from Chinese imports (which make up a large portion of US honey supply) being "laundered" through other countries to evade tariffs and quality checks, as exposed in major fraud cases involving importers like Honey Solutions and Groeb Farms. FDA tests on imported honey found about 10% violative for undeclared sweeteners, though without naming brands.
To avoid bad honey: - Buy local from farmers/beekeepers or trusted small producers—it's less likely to be tampered with. - Look for "raw," "unfiltered," and "unheated" labels; real honey often crystallizes over time. - Check for certifications like True Source Certified (verifies ethical origins), UMF/MGO (for Manuka), or USDA Organic. - Avoid anything labeled "ultrafiltered" or just "pure" (meaningless legally). - Test at home: Real honey doesn't dissolve quickly in water, caramelizes without foaming when heated, and may contain pollen specks.
If you're concerned about a specific product, consider third-party lab testing or sticking to recommended alternatives like Comvita Manuka or truly local raw options.
