Photos of impostor honey being sold in HEB

[dsquared]

Just from what I've seen here, I'd bet the local TV news would love to do a story on this one. If this company has somehow skirted the law, it is still a great story about a consumer rip-off, and about a grocery chain willing to peddle an inferior product at ridiculously high prices, that is not the wholesome product they are leading their customers to believe. If this happened in my area, I'd email the info the a TV station.

[Sundance]

I will bet this is within the "law".
Most companies have a lawyer on
board for advise on these issues.

[cphilip]

I doubt this company is large enough to hire a lawyer. And if they were so certain of its legality I doubt they would be using a PO box but its possible they are for some other reason. I am suspicious of a Kelly farm being located so near them.


I would call my regulator and have him decide. Since there is an interpretive clause in the law that talks of prominent position, its his job to make a call on it. Then if he decides its legal, send that to your legislators. Show them where the law needs clarification. This is a good example of the laws intent not being able to be enforced if the ruling is that this is legal. It may not be.... one would need to get a ruling on it before one assumes it is. I would not just hand them a victory. I would ask the regulator to rule on it.

And if I was local I think I would at least call that number of the similar name Honey farm and ask a few questions about it. Just for grins.

[size="1"][ June 25, 2006, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: cphilip ][/size]

[JP]

Perhaps it's just me but I always read labels, so I wouldn't be fooled by any of these rip off products. Honey blend sounds like something that would be a mixture of crap with perhaps a smidgeon of honey.

[beebarf]

I noticed the little honey packets from Kentucky fried chicken are this b.s imposter "corn syrup" honey. "HONEY" is written huge on the package, all the other writting is small !!!! It has a Louisville, Ky. P.O.Box # on it. Anyone know the laws in Kentucky???????? I will try to post a picture of 1 or the packets when my daughter gets home.

[Jim Fischer]

> I noticed the little honey packets from
> Kentucky fried chicken are this b.s imposter
> "corn syrup" honey.

Yep, they've been doing that for a while at KFC.


http://bee-quick.com/wall/kfc_honey.html

[Morris Forbes]

There is a 100% honey jar on the shelf at my local HEB with the same address (P.O. Box). A quick search finds the name and number: Kelley Honey Bee Company, F M Rd 906 W, Chicota, TX 75425, Phone: (903) 732-4540. FWIW.

[Beemaninsa]

As I remember. Complaints were issued over a year ago to Kelly (no resolution), HEB (temporarily removed from shelf) and the health department (label was changed). Unless a person or organization with the talent and pockets to go after adulterations like these gets involved, I think this disturbing trend will continue.

[wfarler]

Found 'Imitation Honey' on the stores of my local Target. They were real nice when I pointed out it was illegal labeling in Texas but were unsure with how to repond or how to deal with it. I did email them the reference to the statute which is pretty clear since the product was in a queenline shaped jar, the color of honey but contained no honey and was labeled 'imitation honey'. Hopefully educating retailers will help get this stuff off the shelves.

Honey is not sugar liquid - it contains enzymes, traces of pollen and antioxidents that flavored sugar syrup will never have.

Texas Statute:
Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1884, ch. 350, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1983.

§ 131.083. SALE OF IMITATION HONEY. A person may not
label, sell, or keep, expose, or offer for sale a product that
resembles honey and is identified on its label as "imitation
honey."

[Jim Fischer]

> Found 'Imitation Honey' on the stores of my local Target.

Got any company name, or better yet, photos?

[Troy]

The links to the pictures on photobucket don't work. Did you move them?

[doc25]

Coming from one of the lands of Maple Syrup, which used to be a real industry up here, this makes me sick. In MAINE if you go to a diner and order pancakes, you don't get real syrup unless you ask for it and pay extra. Why? because "table syrup" is cheaper and is ACCEPTED AS A SUBSTITUTE. At this point it is accepted as the norm.
And why is the syrup so much more expensive? Economies of scale - there isn't enough demand for real syrup to support the infrastructure that would be required to support the Sugaring industry the scale that the "table syrup" operates.
I hope that honey does fall prey to this same dillema.

Oddly enough here in Quebec we will not allow margerine to have coloring agents in it to make it look like butter. It's white in the tub. Maybe this would help with maple syrup and honey. Imagine clear "maple syrup" or honey it would be far less actractive to consumers.

[paulnewbee1]

I found some of the same in Wisconsin all fake Honey corn sryp-
they should not be able to honey on the label it no honey is there

[Reed Honey]

I think Ray Stroope bought out the Kelly Honey Co.. I am not positive but I have heard this.

[Jeffrey Todd]

Sorry, Troy, I did remove the photos a while back. If you like, I will be happy to re-post them.

Jeffrey

[Troy]

I came in late and did not see them. No big deal - no need to repost them.

[dug_6238]

I notice that instead of having the forbidden pictures of a bee, hive, or comb, they have a picture of a honey whatchamacallit. Although it is not expressly forbidden by law, it is an instrument that is used pretty much only for honey.

It seems that this package is designed to be as deceitful as possible while being within the letter of the law.

It's sickening.

Now someone tell me what NASCAR has to do with honey?

In NASCAR, they fine the driver at least $25K and usually dock some driver AND owner points, usually knocking them down in the chase (championship) standings. If it was an equipment violation, they usually fine the crew chief who makes much less than the driver an similar amount, and now often make HIM sit out a few races. They usually quote something like "infringements" or "actions detrimental to stock car racing..."

I know it wouldn't happen, but I think fair treatment would be to fine the company, and if we want to learn a little from the NASCAR rulebook, mandate that this company cannot put the products on any shelf for some reasonable period of time.

I know this is a pipe-dreaem, but in my opinion it would be fair treatment. I hate phonies.

[Keith Benson]

and if we want to learn a little from the NASCAR rulebook,

I agree with what you are suggesting in principle, but what does it say for our nation if our truth in advertizing has to take the lead from NASCAR?

Keith

[dug_6238]

HA - It may not be much, but it's something. In my book, 1 is still > 0.

But still, I hear ya. Just like in NASCAR, the "Gentleman's Rule" has long since been thrown out.