The government set a 30-day comment period “on how a federal standard of identity for honey would be in the interest of consumers, the honey industry and U.S. agriculture.” The 2014 farm bill obliges USDA to write a report on the subject. Such regulations spell out “a common or usual name, a reasonable definition and standard of identity, a reasonable standard of quality and reasonable standards of fill of the container.” There are two sets of voluntary federal grading standards for honey as well as state-level honey standards. USDA says in its Federal Register notice that the end result could be an assortment of conflicting rules.
In 2011, the FDA rejected a 2006 petition by honey producers, packers and importers for a standard of identity. The industry said a formal standard would prevent adulteration. Although FDA rejected the petition, it published a draft guidance on April 9 on proper labeling of honey and honey products.