About
What it is and where it shows up.
Forest honey (honeydew honey) is a natural sweetener produced by bees—primarily Apis dorsata and related species—from the sugary exudates of plant-sucking insects (aphids) on forest trees rather than from flower nectar. It is used as a sweetener, functional food ingredient, and traditional remedy owing to its high phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Forest honey is broadly safe for the general adult population; no ADI has been established, as it is a whole natural food rather than a food additive. The principal microbiological hazard in honey is Clostridium botulinum spores, which are dangerous only to infants under 12 months. At typical dietary intakes its high natural sugar content warrants moderation for people managing blood glucose, but for healthy adults clinical trials report net beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic markers.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Honey is regulated as a natural food under EU General Food Law (Regulation EC No. 178/2002) and the EU Honey Directive. Honeydew/forest honey is an explicitly recognized category. EU regulations require honey to be free of chemical contaminants; mycotoxin surveys (EFSA 2024) found all honey samples compliant. No maximum daily intake is set.source |
| Food Standards Agency (FSA) / Food Standards Scotland (FSS) (United Kingdom) | Approved | FSA Honey Risk Profile (2024) identifies C. botulinum as the primary microbiological hazard; pesticide residue and persistent organic pollutant (POP) monitoring is ongoing. Honey is approved for general consumption; public health guidance advises against giving honey to infants under one year old.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Regulated under FSSAI Chapter 2.8 (Sweetening Agents including Honey). Standards require compliance with 18 quality parameters: sucrose ≤5%, moisture ≤20%, pollen count ≥25,000/g, diastase activity, HMF limits, C4 sugar limits, and isotope ratio tests (δ13C) to detect adulteration. Honeydew/forest honey permitted with sucrose up to 10%.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Honey is a conventional food regulated under sections 402 and 403 of the FD&C Act; it is not a food additive and carries no formal GRAS number. FDA guidance (2018) covers proper labeling and prohibits adulteration with added sugars or corn syrup. Any claims about floral source (e.g., 'forest honey') must be truthful and not misleading per 21 CFR 101. |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Infants — Honey of all types, including forest honey, can contain Clostridium botulinum spores; infants under 12 months lack the intestinal defenses to prevent germination and toxin production, making botulism a recognised and serious risk—public health authorities worldwide advise against giving any honey to children under one year old.
Diabetes — Forest honey is primarily composed of fructose and glucose and will raise blood sugar; although clinical evidence suggests better glucose tolerance responses than other sugars, people with diabetes should monitor intake carefully and consult their healthcare provider.
Pregnancy — While honey is not contraindicated in pregnancy for the mother, some guidelines recommend caution regarding unpasteurised or raw forest honey due to potential microbial contaminants; pregnant individuals should consult a healthcare provider.
Ibs — Honey contains fructose and fructo-oligosaccharides (FODMAPs) that may trigger bloating, gas, or diarrhoea in individuals with IBS sensitive to high-fructose foods.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FSSAI. FSSAI Food Product Standards Chapter 2.8: Sweetening Agents including Honey (Version 1, September 2023), 2023. fssai.gov.in
- 2PubMed. A Comprehensive Review of the Effect of Honey on Human Health, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Effectiveness of forest honey (Apis dorsata) as therapy for ovarian failure causing malnutrition, 2022. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FDA. Guidance for Industry: Proper Labeling of Honey and Honey Products, 2018. fda.gov
- 5other. Pesticide Residues in Honey from the Major Honey Producing Forest Belts in Ghana, 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6PubMed. Novel Insights into the Health Importance of Natural Honey, 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Independently researched6 citations