Quality Issues Relating to Composition of Imported Honey into Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Alnasser¹, Khaled Alzeer² and Yunus Khatri³*

• ¹Mohammed Alnasser, Executive Director, Saudi Food Inspectorate, KSA
• ²Khaled Alzeer, Food Safety Manager, Saudi Food Inspectorate, KSA
• ³Yunus Khatri, Specialist Visiting Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Received: June 17, 2020;   Published: June 25, 2020

*Corresponding author: Yunus Khatri, Specialist Visiting Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

DOI: 10.32474/SJFN.2020.03.000154

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Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of honey imported from eighteen different countries into Saudi Arabia. Twenty pesticides, 5-hydroxymethlfurfural and the antibiotic chloramphenicol were analysed. Approximately 20% of honey was rejected out of 712 consignments. Ten countries breached the regulations for one or more of the following: exceeding the MRLs, using banned pesticides or presence of chloramphenicol. Three neonicotinoids; acetamiprid, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam was found in combination with other pesticides. The HMF content of honey from eight exporting countries exceeded 80mg/kg. Despite the years of monitoring for pesticides, breaches of MRLs continue to be reported. Recommendation for more stringent approaches to the management of pesticide along the supply chain are suggested as the implications to bee pollinators, environment and human life are wide, varied and unsafe.

Keywords: Pesticides; Monitoring; Honey; Saudi Arabia