CHINESE and blended honey on sale in the UK may contain illegal chemicals which pose health risks according to the Food Standards Agency.
Tests have revealed that ten out of 16 samples contained the veterinary antibiotic chloramphenicol, which has been linked to the blood disorder aplastic anaemia and cancer.
The agency is calling for the withdrawal of all jars of Chinese and blended honey on sale in the UK and are requesting that companies stocking the products meet with legal requirements.
The risk is thought to be minimal to consumers as the level of the antibiotic is so low. Therefore the agency is advising that people can continue to eat any honey they have already bought irrespective of country of origin. This also applies to other foods that contain honey or take-aways.
Further tests are on-going and the agency will publish results and advice as appropriate.
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