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Code of Practice: Processing of Bee Products

9 Receipt and Processing of Honey and Dried Pollen

9.1 Purpose and scope
9.2 Mandatory requirements
9.3 Procedures for the receipt of honey, pollen and other bee products
9.4 Procedures for the processing of honey
9.5 Procedures for the processing of pollen
9.6 Traceability and inventory control
9.7 Monitoring
9.8 Records

Amendment 2

June 2006

9.1 Purpose and scope

To ensure that honey or any other edible bee product that is received for processing is fit for its intended purpose and meets the requirements of the current version of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice clause 108.

To ensure that honey or any other edible bee product is processed in a manner that minimises its contamination and deterioration, and maintains its fitness for intended purpose.

9.2 Mandatory requirements

9.2.1 HC Spec 108

Note: The “Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement” or “statement” referred to in this clause is commonly called a “Harvest Declaration” by industry.

1. An apiarist or beekeeper must ensure that:

a. honey and other bee products are not harvested from beehives in areas where it is likely that the resulting product will be contaminated with harmful levels of phytotoxins of the native plant tutu (Coriaria arborea):

b. only approved veterinary medicines or agricultural compounds are used in beehives in accordance with any label or approval conditions:

c. beehives are constructed of, and maintained with, materials that are not a source of hazard to the honey or other bee products:

d. honey supers, both before and after extraction, and honey containers, including drums, are stored in a manner that will minimise contamination:

e. honey supers are protected from contamination during transportation to minimise the exposure to dust, fumes and other contaminants.

2. If the apiarist or beekeeper has reason to believe that the honey or other bee products would exceed any Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) or Maximum Permissible Level (MPL), that person must not present the honey or bee products for processing.

3. An apiarist or beekeeper must complete and sign a statement as set out in the form approved by the Director-General for each lot of honey or other bee products and keep a copy of every statement for a minimum of 4 years, except where subclause (6) applies.

4. An apiarist or beekeeper must provide a copy of the statement to the secondary processor with each consignment of honey or other bee products before processing by the secondary processor commences.

5. If the apiarist or beekeeper cannot ensure that the honey or other bee products have been harvested in accordance with the requirements of subclause (1) regarding plant toxins, agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines, the affected honey or other bee products must not be processed for human consumption or traded, unless the apiarist or beekeeper or processor has obtained prior written approval from the Director-General. The Director-General may impose conditions on the approval, and the apiarist, beekeeper or processor must comply with those conditions.

6. Where an apiarist or beekeeper processes honey or other bee products themselves for trade, then the apiarist or beekeeper may keep records containing the information required by the statement, instead of the statement.

7. Where a statement is received by a secondary processor which indicates that the honey or other bee product may not be suitable for consumption without further processing, this information must be provided to subsequent processors unless the material is processed by that processor such that it is no longer a risk to human health.

9.2.2 AP Reg 9

The operator must ensure that honey and other bee products in their charge are processed in a manner that minimises their contamination or deterioration.

9.2.3 HC Spec 32 (3)

Labelling must be provided on transportation outers and must state:

• the product name or description;

• storage directions, where necessary to maintain the product as fit for intended purpose;

• lot identification (except that this requirement is optional if the application of lot identification to the retail packaging is a mandatory requirement under other legislation and that legislation is complied with).

9.2.4 HC Spec 32 (4)

Mandatory labelling must be clear, legible, indelible, and use terms that are commonly used in the English language or other language approved by the Director-General.

9.2.5 HC Spec 32(5)

The label of the transportation outer, or accompanying documentation, of any bee product that is not intended for human consumption but has the appearance of, or could be mistaken for, product that is intended for human consumption, must clearly indicate that the bee product it contains is not intended for human consumption.

9.2.6 HC Spec 32B

If the status of honey or other bee product’s fitness for intended purpose changes, and the product has been identified, all affected labelling or the accompanying documentation (where there is no label) must be amended to reflect its new status prior to its release for trade, or the packaging (including labelling) must be replaced.

If honey or bee products are downgraded and are no longer intended to be traded for human consumption, any labelling on the transportation outer, accompanying documentation, inspection legends and any other identification of product as being suitable for processing for human consumption or as being fit for human consumption must be removed or defaced at the consigning premises.

Any false or misleading labelling on reused or recycled packaging resulting from previous uses must be removed or defaced at the consigning premises.

9.2.7 HC Spec 34(3)

An inventory control programme must be documented for animal material and product and records maintained.

9.3 Procedures for the receipt of honey, pollen and other bee products

Note: The “Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement” or “statement” referred to in this section is commonly called as “Harvest Declaration” by industry.

9.3.1 Each consignment or lot of honey supers, pollen or other bee product must not be processed without an Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement indicating that it is suitable for processing for human consumption.

When an apiarist or beekeeper extracts honey from supers from her/his own apiary, an Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement does not need to be completed provided all the information required by the statement is recorded in some form by the apiarist or beekeeper. 

9.3.2 When the Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement indicates that the honey, pollen, or other bee product is not suitable for processing for human consumption (i.e. the statement has a ‘No’ answer), it must not be processed unless a written approval from the Director-General is obtained by the apiarist, beekeeper or processor.

9.3.3 Each consignment or lot of honey supers, pollen, or other bee product must be clearly identified so that it can be easily linked to the Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement.

9.4 Procedures for the processing of honey

9.4.1 Receiving of supers

9.4.1.1 When the loading bay is located inside the building, measures must be taken to prevent contamination of materials, products, and the processing environment from dust, dirt, bees and other insects, fumes, and other environmental contaminants during the entry and exit of vehicles, and during unloading.

Processing rooms that open to the loading bay area should have a door that is kept closed when vehicles enter and exit, and during unloading of honey supers.

9.4.1.2 Supers must be transported on clean trucks and covered during transport in a manner that minimises dust, engine fumes and other road-based contamination.

9.4.1.3 Honey supers that are infested, excessively dirty, or contaminated with faecal material (e.g. rodent or bird faeces) must not be accepted for processing.

Beekeepers should implement hygienic practices for the handling, storage and transport of honey supers to minimise contamination of the supers which consequently impacts on the microbiological load of honey.

Full or empty supers should be protected during storage from contamination from pests, wastes, and environmental contaminants.

9.4.2 Holding of full honey supers

9.4.2.1 Full honey supers must be stored in a suitable storage area or hot room.

9.4.2.2 Supers that are not stored in a room or will not be processed immediately must be protected from moisture and contamination from dust, dirt, bees and other insects, fumes and other environmental contaminants.

9.4.2.3 Entry of live bees into the storage area, hot room or extraction room must be minimised.

9.4.3 Deboxing and uncapping

9.4.3.1 Deboxing must be done in a manner that will minimise transfer of contamination from boxes to combs.

Combs should be visually inspected to ensure that contaminated combs are removed and excluded from processing.  Combs that have the following condition should be excluded from processing: 

infested with wax moth larvae;

contain dead brood (bee larvae); or

with signs of rodent infestation (e.g. faecal pellets, urine odour).

9.4.3.2 Uncapping equipment (i.e. knives, blades, hoses, clamps) must be in a hygienic and good working condition that does not allow water, steam or lubricant to leak into honey.

9.4.3.3 When the uncapper is defective, uncapping must cease until the problem is fixed.

9.4.4 Extraction

9.4.4.1 The extractor must be clean and dry before the start of extraction.

9.4.4.2 Wax, caramelised honey, and foreign matter (e.g. wax, dirt, dead bees) must not be allowed to build up in the extractor.

The frequency for cleaning the extractor should take into consideration the volume of honey processed, design of the equipment, quality of honey, and other technical and commercial requirements.  Refer to Section 4: Cleaning and sanitation.

9.4.4.3 The extractor must be covered with a lid when not in use (e.g. overnight) to prevent the entry of pests and to prevent steam and water from contaminating honey.

9.4.4.4 Honey that has been spilt onto the processing floor must not be used for human consumption. Provided it is not contaminated with any chemical substance, spilt honey may be used for animal consumption.

Any contaminated honey must be clearly identified as “Not Intended for Human Consumption”.

9.4.5 Transfer of honey through the sump tank

9.4.5.1 Wax and other debris must be removed from the sump tank at least daily.

9.4.5.2 Sump tanks must be constructed and located in such a manner that prevents contamination of the honey from water (including splashes from the floor), condensates, dust and other contaminants.

The sides of the sump should extend above the floor height to prevent floor dust and other contamination entering the honey.  The minimum height of the sides should be 150 mm and the preferred height 300 mm high above floor level.  (From the Reference Manual of Capilano Honey Ltd)

9.4.5.3 If honey that is separated from cappings is collected, it must be added to the sump or honey tank in a hygienic manner.

9.4.6 Straining/filtering

9.4.6.1 Strainers and filters must be made of material that is suitable for food.

9.4.6.2 The mesh size of the strainer or filter must be suitable for the type of material that is being filtered from honey.

9.4.6.3 Strainers or filters must be maintained in good condition and must not be a source of contamination.

9.4.7 Holding of extracted honey in tanks

9.4.7.1 Holding tanks must be clean and dry before filling with honey.

9.4.7.2 Tanks containing honey must be protected from the entry of bees and other insects, condensates, dust and other contaminants.

9.4.8 Filling of honey into drums or other bulk containers

9.4.8.1 Honey must be filled into drums or other bulk containers in a manner that prevents contamination of honey.

9.4.8.2 Full drums or other bulk containers must be sealed with tightly fitted bungs.

9.4.8.3 Full drums or other bulk containers must be permanently marked or identified so that it can be easily linked to the relevant Apiarist and Beekeeper Statement (i.e. Harvest declaration).

9.4.9 Storage of full drums or other bulk containers

Full drums or other bulk containers must be stored in accordance with requirements given in section 8.4.1 of this COP.

9.4.10 Processing of liquid and creamed honey

9.4.10.1 The external surface of stored honey drums must be washed in an appropriate manner to minimise contamination of honey as it is removed from the drum.

9.4.10.2 Honey must be transferred into vats or tanks in a hygienic manner.

9.4.10.3 Creaming tanks must be protected from the entry of bees and other insects, condensates, dust and other contaminants.

9.4.10.4 Creaming tanks, including the mixer blade mechanism, must be in good mechanical condition and must not be a source of contamination (e.g. metal fragments, lubricants).

9.4.10.5 Starter honey must not be a source of contamination and must be mixed into the product in a hygienic manner.

9.4.11 Processing of comb honey

Comb honey poses a greater risk from tutin because it is eaten directly off the comb, increasing the chance of consuming honey with a high concentration of tutin.  Comb honey processors should impose strict controls for sourcing honey combs to minimise the risk from tutin.

9.4.11.1 Combs that are infested, travel stained, dirty, contaminated with faecal matter; or contain brood or fermented honey must not be processed into comb honey.

New foundation and comb should be used for producing comb honey.

9.4.11.2 Comb honey must be inspected using a light source or similar device to detect any remaining wire or other foreign matter.

Some premises have a metal detector to eliminate any comb honey pack contaminated with metal.

9.4.11.3 Only chemicals approved as fumigants for comb honey must be used for fumigating combs to kill wax moth.

9.4.11.4 Honey combs must be adequately packed or protected during freezing to ensure that contamination from other sources is prevented.

Freezing to kill wax moth may be done off-site (i.e. outside the boundaries of the operator’s risk management programme) provided the freezing operation is undertaken in a premises covered by a risk management programme under the Animal Products Act 1999.

9.4.12 Packing and labelling

9.4.12.1 Prior to filling of honey, containers must be inspected for damages (e.g. broken glass) and foreign objects.

9.4.12.2 The filling machine for liquid or creamed honey must be set up and operated correctly to prevent spillage.

9.4.12.3 The capping machine must be set up and operated correctly to prevent breakage of glass jars.

9.4.12.4 Defective packs must be segregated and disposed of appropriately in designated bins.

9.4.12.5 The label on a package of honey must meet the general labelling requirements under the Animal Products Act 1999 and the Food Standards Code.

9.4.12.6 A system must be in place for the identification and inventory of labels, segregation and removal of obsolete labels, and the prevention of incorrect labelling of products.

Representative samples of product should be collected, identified and stored for the required time period for testing and examination, if required.

9.5 Procedures for the processing of pollen

9.5.1 Receipt of pollen

9.5.1.1 The operator must ensure that pollen received for processing is fit for intended purpose.

9.5.1.2 Pollen must not be mouldy. Mouldy pollen is not fit for human consumption and must be discarded.

Pollen should be collected every 3 to 4 days and before any significant rain.  In wet weather, pollen which becomes damp may start to grow mould and rot after 4-5 days. Pollen containers should be kept out of the sun to prevent ‘sweating’ and clumping of pellets, and to minimise microbiological growth.  

9.5.1.3 Pollen must not be contaminated with rodent droppings and pests such as cockroaches and ants.

Processors of pollen should require their suppliers to have an effective pest control system in place at the hive and storage facilities to minimise contamination of pollen from pests.  The presence of rodent droppings indicates that there is a hole in the trap or hive, or gear is being contaminated during winter storage.  

9.5.1.4 The presence in pollen of dead bees, wax, insect parts, wood, dust and other foreign matter in pollen must be minimised.

9.5.2 Freezing

9.5.2.1 Fresh pollen must be placed in a freezer without unnecessary delay especially if the pollen is wet.

Freezing will prevent microbial growth and spoilage, and kill wax moth and pollen mite.  Pollen should be frozen at -18 °C for at least 48 hours to destroy wax moth. 

9.5.2.2 Contamination of the pollen must be prevented during freezing. Pollen must be properly packed and identified.

9.5.2.3 The freezer must have the capability to quickly freeze pollen to the required temperature.

9.5.2.4 The pollen must be loaded in the freezer in such a manner that allows effective freezing of the product.

9.5.3 Drying

9.5.3.1 Drying of pollen must be done in a manner that minimises the contamination of the product and the growth of any microorganism present in the product.

9.5.3.2 Pollen must be dried to a final moisture content sufficient for the preservation of the product considering its intended packaging and storage conditions.

Pollen is generally dried to < 8% moisture content.

9.5.4 Cleaning

Dried pollen must be cleaned to ensure that the product is free of all foreign matter such as dead bees, wax, insect parts, wood, dust, and other debris.

A simple birdseed cleaning unit which uses a vacuum cleaner for the air supply may be suitable for cleaning small quantities of pollen.  Sieves can also be used.

Large quantities may need to be processed in a commercial seed-cleaning machine.  These contain vibrating riddles or screens which sift out the pollen into different sizes.  They also have an air current to remove the dust and fine debris.

9.5.5 Storage

Pollen intended for human consumption should be stored in a deep freeze or as dried pellets in air tight containers at room temperature.

9.5.6 Labelling

The label on a package of pollen must meet the general labelling requirements under the Animal Products Act 1999 and the Food Standards Code. Food Standard 1.2.3 requires the label on a package of pollen to include an advisory statement to the effect that the product contains bee pollen which can cause severe allergic reactions.

9.6 Traceability and inventory control

9.6.1 There must be a system in place for the identification of raw materials and products, and documentation that will allow any finished product to be traced:

• back to the supplier and the apiaries that the bee product was sourced from; and

• to the next person or company that the product is transferred to for further processing, packing, or storage; distributed to; or sold to.

9.6.2 All outgoing products must be clearly identified and accompanied by appropriate documentation.

Refer to the Bee Products Official Assurances Guide for the documentation requirements for bee products for export.

9.6.3 Inventories must be maintained for all raw materials (e.g. incoming honey, pollen) and finished products, including any non-compliant materials and products.

9.7 Monitoring

Compliance to documented procedures must be regularly checked by the responsible person.

9.8 Records

Records containing the following information must be kept:

• Apiarist and Beekeeper Statements (Harvest Declarations) or equivalent records

• records for identifying products and establishing traceability

• inventories

• observations from monitoring and any corrective action taken (including restoration of control, product disposition and prevention of recurrence).

Records may be kept in a daily diary, logbook, record form or checklist. 

Refer to Section 10 for record keeping requirements.

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NEW ZEALAND

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