Does pure, unfiltered, natural honey contain trace contaminants or impurities that could harm humans if ingested?
A. Again the answer to this question is a qualified “No.” The amounts of trace contaminants that may be found in natural honey are too low to be harmful to humans at the levels of consumption of honey recommended in The Honey Revolution (up to 3 to 5 tablespoons per day). Trace contaminants found in some honey may include residues of pesticides, miticides, antibiotics, organophosphates, and other chemicals that the bees may have come in contact with while gathering nectar and pollen. When tested, the levels of these contaminants are sometimes measured in parts per billion (ppb), well below the levels dangerous for human consumption at the amounts consumed even over 12 months. The levels of fat soluble contaminants (organophosphates, some pesticides and miticides will always be higher in comb honey as the wax may retain these contaminants for some time and the levels may accumulate.
