Honey producer wins court case against trading standards

Mediterranean food supplier Odysea has secured the right to label its honey as raw in a landmark ruling against trading standards.

In October 2021, an environmental health officer at the London borough of Waltham Forest told Odysea that calling its honey “raw” breached Food Information to Consumers regulation.

Waltham Forest Trading Standards argued Odysea was “labelling and advertising food with misleading food information” because all honey is uncooked and therefore raw.

Odysea was subsequently advised to brand its product as “artisan honey”, which resulted in the company exercising its right of appeal.

Panos Manuelides, founder of Odysea, stressed the processes behind his product differ from how large-volume honey is made, which is “ultra-filtered”.

Judge Neville ruled that Odysea’s use of the word raw “accurately conveys the lack of processing, including but not limited to heating, undergone by Odysea’s honey when compared with many others”.

He did, however, recommend clearer industry guidance or regulation to advise customers and producers in future.

Manuelides said: “We are delighted with the tribunal decision. While honey is not our core business in terms of volume, our honey is incredibly important to us.

“Of course, the consumer has a right to understand the difference between processed honey and raw honey, which is why this ruling is so important. Our customers are keen to avoid processed foods and they identify with raw honey because of its superior flavour and nutrient profile. Clarity on the label will allow them to make an informed choice.”

Odysea Limited was represented by Brian Kelly and Seán Finan of Covington & Burling LLP, and Robin Kingham of Gough Square Chambers.

Odysea honey is produced in central Greece by artisan bee-keeper Alexandros Gousiaris and is available in five varieties.