Why Tampa Gold Honey Does Not Sell Orange Blossom Honey . Updated 4/1/2026
Why Tampa Gold Honey Does Not Sell Orange Blossom Honey
Orange blossom honey is frequently contaminated with pesticides primarily because bees forage for miles and cannot
distinguish between treated and untreated plants, they ingest these
chemical residues and bring them back to the hive, where they end up in
the honey.
Here is a breakdown of why this contamination occurs:
- Systemic Pesticides in Citrus Agriculture: Many pesticides are systemic, meaning they are absorbed into all parts of the plant—nectar, pollen, leaves, and roots—after being applied to the soil, irrigation systems, or as seed coatings. This means even if a tree is not directly sprayed, the nectar it produces can still contain chemicals.
- Widespread Pesticide Use: Citrus farming relies on a heavy, sometimes uncontrolled, application of chemicals to manage pests, diseases, and fungal infections.
- Environmental Persistence: Pesticides, including neonicotinoids and, in some areas, herbicides like glyphosate, are persistent in the environment and are easily brought into the hive by bees foraging on contaminated crops or wild plants.
- Contamination Through Hive Management: In addition to agricultural pesticide drift, beekeepers often use acaricides to manage Varroa mites, which can directly contaminate the honey and wax.
- Contamination in Other Areas: The issue is not limited to oranges; it is a broader issue where three-quarters of all honey in the world has been found to be contaminated with pesticides.
While
the levels of pesticides in honey are often below the Maximum Residue
Limits (MRLs) established by regulatory agencies, the accumulation of
multiple pesticides (synergistic combinations) in the environment,
combined with in-hive treatments, leads to widespread, low-level
contamination.
WE DO NOT SELL ORANGE BLOSSOM HONEY FOR THAT REASON.
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