Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 3049 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide honey-labeling requirements for honey products sold in Hawaii.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Big Island Beekeepers Association, C&H Farms, the Compleat Kitchen, the Hawaii Beekeepers' Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Island Honey LLC, the Source Natural Food Store, Triple F Distributing, Inc., and three individuals. Comments were submitted by the Department of Agriculture.

This measure provides specific requirements for labeling honey packaging to differentiate between:

Your Committees find that this measure will prevent manufacturers or distributors of honeys produced entirely or blended with out-of-state honeys from labeling its honey as a "Hawaii" or "All Hawaiian" product. This approach is similar to the Hawaii coffee industry's labeling of Kona Coffee. However, your Committees find that requiring honey manufacturers and distributors to provide more information on the honey used, rather than where in Hawaii the honey was produced, is a better approach for honey consumers. Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by requiring specific labeling requirements for:

Your Committees have further amended this measure by:

Your Committees noted testimony from the Department of Agriculture expressing concerns that the purpose of this measure is, in its opinion, to "protect the health and safety of all consumers of honey while promoting and protecting the Hawaiian honey industry." Thus, the department emphasized that the Department of Health and the United States Food and Drug Administration should assume the lead and manage food safety issues.

However, your Committees noted testimony explaining that many of the low-priced honeys on the market are adulterated and mislabeled as "honey." These honey products are often mixed with sweeteners or processed so extensively that the honey loses its distinct traits, including its enzymes, resins and flavinoids of plant origin, and pollen. Thus, the honey products do not endanger human health or safety; however, the labels that are affixed to the products do not accurately reflect their actual contents. Your Committees find that this measure, as amended, will prevent the mislabeling of honey products and will allow consumers the opportunity to make an informed decision when purchasing honey products.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3049, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3049, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.