Question : ANTIBIOTICS IN HONEY

(a) whether the Government has conducted any study about the alleged level of adulteration by antibiotics in honey;

(b) if so, the details alongwith the findings thereof indicating the names of the honey brands found containing high concentration of antibiotics and other barred substances;

(c) whether regular testing of other food articles has also revealed the presence of antibiotics and other banned items in their contents;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the mandate given to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in this regard alongwith the reasons for giving permission for the sale of these imported honey contaminated with antibiotics in the country which are banned in their home countries; and

(f) the action taken against the officials found guilty of such lapses and ensure that the food articles being sold in the market meet the regulatory standards?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABIAZAD)

(a)to(f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354 FOR 3RD DECEMBER,2010

No such study about the level of adulteration by antibiotics in honey has been conducted by the Government.

The standards of honey have been prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) rules, 1955, wherein antibiotics are not permitted to be added in honey. The implementation of PFA Act and Rules is carried out by the States/UT Governments who draw samples of various food articles including honey and take action in case of any violation of PFA Rules, 1955.

An advisory has also been issued to all State Governments/UT Governments to keep a strict vigil on the quality of honey sold in the market and take necessary action in case of violation of PFA Rules, 1955. The Port Health Officers and Custom Collectors have also been advised to analyse all consignments imported into the country as per quality parameters prescribed under PFA Rules, 1955 as well as for presence of antibiotics before the same is released for human consumption.