Code of Practice: Processing of Bee Products

Risk factor

Source or cause of risk factor

Control measures for preventing/ minimising the risk factor

Fermented honey

High moisture content

• Proper draining and drying of equipment

• Preventing water or steam from getting into the product

• Proper storage

High yeast level

• Hygienic practices

• Cleaning and sanitation

Insect and insect parts

Bees and other insects

• Removal of live bees

• Covering of equipment

• Pest control

• Proper storage of supers

• Filtering

• Freezing or fumigation of comb honey

Other foreign matter that are not considered as physical hazards (e.g. wood, propolis, wax, other debris)

From frames, capping surfaces

• Maintenance of frames in good condition

• Hygienic practices

• Cleaning and sanitation

• Proper storage of supers

• Filtering

Risk factor

Source or cause of risk factor

Control measures for preventing/ minimising the risk factor

Mouldy pollen

High moisture content

• Rejection of mouldy pollen at receipt

• Drying to correct moisture content

Improper holding temperature

• Proper freezing of fresh pollen

Improper packaging and/or storage

• Proper packaging and storage of dried pollen

Foreign matter that are not considered as physical hazards (e.g. wood, wax, insect parts, other debris)

Contaminants from hives, bees and other debris collected in or surrounding pollen traps

• Supplier agreements covering good hive maintenance and practices; hygienic collection; incoming material specifications

• Rejection of fresh pollen with high levels of foreign matter

• Sieving and cleaning