Honey Integrity Act

S 1028, the Honey Integrity Act, requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a standard of identity for honey within one year of enactment, aligning with national pharmacopeia standards. It directly affects qualifying commercial honey packers (defined as those paying fees to the National Honey Board) by mandating they conduct scientific testing using methods like DNA analysis and mass spectrometry to detect economically motivated adulteration (EMA) - such as intentionally substituting or adding substances to increase value - before marketing honey. Packets must certify compliance, report test results, and immediately report EMA findings within 24 hours, with the FDA required to investigate, destroy adulterated honey, and share data with enforcement agencies. The law creates a "Honey Integrity Program" to improve honey quality, with packers paying fees to fund the program.