Abstract
Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.
|
Published in
|
International Journal of Safety Research (Volume 1, Issue 1)
|
|
DOI
|
10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
|
|
Page(s)
|
1-5 |
|
Creative Commons
|
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
|
|
Copyright
|
Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group
|
Keywords
Honey Quality, Pesticide Residues, Honeybee Health, Food Safety, Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
1. Introduction
Honey is a natural, nutrient-dense food produced primarily by the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) and other bee species. It contains sugars (mainly fructose and glucose), amino acids, vitamins, minerals, organic acids and numerous bioactive compounds that contribute to its nutritional, medicinal and antimicrobial properties
| [2] | Bogdanov, S. (2011). Honey composition and properties. Bee Product Science, 1-9. |
[2]
. Beyond its dietary importance, honey plays a crucial role in traditional medicine and serves as a vital income source for rural and smallholder farmers
| [8] | Gebremariam et al. (2020) - Emphasizes the socio-economic and medicinal importance of honey in Ethiopia. |
[8]
.
In Ethiopia, beekeeping is an ancient practice deeply integrated into rural livelihoods. The country is Africa’s leading honey producer and ranks among the top ten globally, contributing significantly to household income, food security and export earnings
| [9] | Girma, D., Tadesse, Y., & Kebede, D. (2021). Pesticide residue contamination and its implications on Ethiopian honey export. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 31(2), 33-45. |
[9]
. However, the quality and safety of honey are closely tied to the health of honeybee colonies and the integrity of their foraging environment. The expansion of modern agriculture and the increased use of chemical pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides have created growing threats to bee health
| [11] | Muli, E., et al. (2020). Impact of pesticide use on honey bee health in Africa: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(5), 281. |
[11]
.
While pesticides are vital for crop protection, their residues can contaminate nectar and pollen, harm bees directly and compromise honey quality. These contaminants affect bee survival and behaviour, reduce honey yield and pose challenges to Ethiopia’s honey export potential, especially with the rising international demand for residue-free honey
| [7] | FAO. (2022). Guidelines for sustainable apiculture and pesticide management. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. |
[7]
.
2. Pesticides and Honeybee Health
Honeybees are among the most vulnerable non-target organisms affected by pesticide exposure. Bees encounter pesticides through several pathways, including direct contact during spraying, ingestion of contaminated nectar or water and drift from nearby treated fields
| [6] | EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). (2018). Evaluation of the toxicity of pesticides on honey bees. EFSA Journal, 16(2), 5174. |
[6]
.
Pesticides exert both acute and chronic effects:
1)
Acute toxicity: Insecticides such as neonicotinoids (e.g., imidacloprid, thiamethoxam) and organophosphates (e.g., chlorpyrifos, malathion) can kill bees within hours by disrupting their nervous systems
| [12] | Siviter, H., & Muth, F. (2020). Do pesticides affect bee learning and cognition? A review. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 36, 69-76. |
[12]
.
2)
Sub-lethal effects: Chronic exposure impairs learning, orientation and communication (e.g., waggle dance), reduces foraging efficiency and weakens the immune system, predisposing bees to pathogens like Nosema and Varroa mites
| [5] | Doublet, V., Labarussias, M., de Miranda, J. R., Moritz, R. F., & Paxton, R. J. (2015). Exposure of honey bees to natural pathogens impairs immunity and promotes colony losses. PLoS Pathogens, 11(3), e1004814. |
[5]
.
3)
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): Pesticides are major contributors to CCD a condition where worker bees vanish, leaving behind the queen and brood
| [14] | Van der Sluijs, J. P., et al. (2013). Neonicotinoids, bee disorders, and the sustainability of pollinator services. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 5(3-4), 293-305. |
[14]
.
4) In Ethiopia, indiscriminate pesticide application especially during crop flowering has led to significant bee mortality and colony weakening, reducing honey yield and altering its moisture balance
| [1] | Adgaba, N., Al-Ghamdi, A., Tadesse, Y., Getachew, A., & Workneh, A. (2017). Honey production systems (Apis mellifera L.) in Ethiopia: Challenges and opportunities. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 29(12), 1-9. |
[1]
.
3. Pesticide Residues in Honey
When bees forage on pesticide treated plants, residues accumulate in honey, wax and pollen. The most common pesticide classes detected in honey include neonicotinoids, organophosphates, pyrethroids and fungicides
| [4] | Codling, G., Al Naggar, Y., & Giesy, J. P. (2016). Concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey from major honey-producing countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(23), 23294-23303. |
[4]
.
Residues raise multiple concerns:
1) Food safety risks: Chronic exposure can lead to neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and immune suppression in humans
2) Trade limitations: Export markets, particularly the European Union, enforce strict Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Exceeding these thresholds can lead to the rejection of Ethiopian honey exports
3)
Altered honey chemistry: Pesticides may change sugar ratios, inhibit key enzymes (invertase, diastase) and reduce antioxidant activity
| [15] | Yosef, M., Tadesse, S., & Teshome, T. (2022). Effects of pesticide contamination on the physicochemical properties of Ethiopian honey. African Journal of Food Science, 16(7), 201-210. |
[15]
.
Recent studies in Ethiopia (e.g., Oromia, Amhara, and SNNP regions) have detected residues of organophosphates and pyrethroids in honey samples near farmlands, underscoring the urgent need for residue monitoring and enforcement of pesticide regulation
| [14] | Van der Sluijs, J. P., et al. (2013). Neonicotinoids, bee disorders, and the sustainability of pollinator services. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 5(3-4), 293-305. |
[14]
.
4. Impact on Honey Quality Parameters
Pesticides affect honey quality both indirectly through bee health and directly through chemical contamination:
1)
Moisture Content: Weak colonies process nectar inefficiently, leading to honey with high moisture and increased fermentation risk
| [3] | Bogdanov, S., Jurendic, T., Sieber, R., & Gallmann, P. (2008). Honey for nutrition and health: A review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 27(6), 677-689. |
[3]
.
2) Enzymatic Activity: Pesticide exposure reduces enzymes such as diastase, invertase, and glucose oxidase key freshness indicators).
3) Microbial Quality: Compromised bee immunity and hygiene can lead to microbial contamination
4) Organoleptic Properties: Residues may cause off-flavours, discoloration, or unpleasant odours, lowering market value
5. Risk to Public Health
Honey contaminated with pesticide residues represents a growing public health concern, particularly in developing countries such as Ethiopia, where regulatory monitoring systems are still developing. Since honey is consumed widely by all age groups including children, pregnant women and the elderly and is frequently used in traditional medicine for its perceived therapeutic properties, any level of contamination poses potential health risks. The health effects depend on the type, concentration and persistence of the pesticide residues present in the honey. The main categories of health risks include
neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity and allergic or immunotoxic reactions | [13] | Tarekegn, T., Kebede, D., & Girma, D. (2023). Assessment of pesticide residues in Ethiopian honey and beeswax. Journal of Apicultural Research, 62(4), 520-532. |
[13]
.
5.1. Neurotoxicity
Several classes of pesticides, particularly organophosphates, carbamates and neonicotinoids, are known neurotoxic agents that interfere with the normal function of the nervous system.
1) Mechanism of Action: Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is essential for breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at nerve synapses. This inhibition causes overstimulation of nerve cells, leading to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle tremors, confusion, and in severe cases, respiratory paralysis or death.
2) Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure, even to low doses, may result in memory impairment, reduced cognitive performance, developmental neurotoxicity in children, and long-term neurological disorders.
3) Neonicotinoids, although less acutely toxic to humans, act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and may affect human brain development and cognitive function when exposure occurs during early life stages.
5.2. Endocrine Disruption
Some pesticides act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by mimicking or blocking the natural action of hormones in the body.
1) Fungicides such as vinclozolin and triazoles, and herbicides such as atrazine and glyphosate, are known to interfere with hormonal signaling pathways.
2) Health Consequences: Exposure to such residues can lead to reproductive and developmental abnormalities, altered thyroid function, metabolic disorders, and increased susceptibility to hormone-related cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer).
3)
Vulnerable Populations: Infants, pregnant women, and adolescents are particularly at risk due to their developing endocrine systems
| [10] | Mnif, W., et al. (2011). Effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(6), 2265-2303. |
[10]
.
5.3. Carcinogenic and Mutagenic Effects
Long-term consumption of honey contaminated with certain pesticide residues, even at levels below acute toxicity thresholds, may increase the risk of cancer and genetic mutations.
1) Carcinogenic Pesticides: Some organochlorine pesticides (such as DDT, lindane, and dieldrin) are classified as probable or possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
2) Mechanisms: These compounds can induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption of cellular signaling pathways, which can lead to tumor formation over time.
3) Bioaccumulation: Because some pesticides are fat-soluble, they can accumulate in human tissues and magnify through the food chain, increasing chronic exposure risks.
5.4. Allergic, Immunotoxic, and Other Systemic Effects
Even at trace levels, pesticide residues may provoke allergic reactions or immunotoxic effects in sensitive individuals.
1) Allergic Reactions: Symptoms can include skin irritation, respiratory distress, and hypersensitivity reactions due to immune system over activation.
2) Immune Suppression: Certain pesticides weaken immune responses, making individuals more susceptible to infections and reducing the efficacy of vaccines.
3) Metabolic and Hepatotoxic Effects: Chronic exposure may impair liver and kidney function due to the body’s continuous effort to metabolize and excrete toxic compounds.
5.5. Broader Public Health Implications
The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture and their transfer into honey also have broader societal and economic consequences:
1) Public Health Burden: Increased healthcare costs due to pesticide-related illnesses.
2) Food Safety Concerns: Contaminated honey can undermine consumer trust, reduce export competitiveness, and affect the reputation of Ethiopian honey in international markets.
3) Regulatory Challenges: Weak enforcement of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and insufficient laboratory capacity make it difficult to ensure compliance with international food safety standards.
6. Strategies to Mitigate Pesticide Impact
To ensure the production of safe, residue-free and high-quality honey in Ethiopia, a combination of regulatory, technical and community-based approaches is essential. The following multi-sectorial strategies can be implemented to minimize the adverse effects of pesticides on bees and honey quality:
6.1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable approach that combines biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical methods to manage pests while minimizing harm to pollinators and the environment.
Biological Control: Use of natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, or microbial agents (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis) to control pest populations.
Cultural Practices: Crop rotation, intercropping and adjusting planting times to break pest life cycles and reduce pesticide dependence.
Use of Resistant Varieties: Promoting pest-resistant crop species to reduce pesticide application.
Selective Use of Chemicals: When chemical control is necessary, choosing pesticides with lower toxicity to bees and applying them in a targeted manner.
6.2. Bee-Friendly Pesticide Application Practices
To protect pollinators, special precautions must be taken during pesticide use:
Timing of Application: Avoid spraying during flowering periods or when bees are actively foraging; instead, apply pesticides during late evening or early morning hours.
Application Methods: Use precision application technologies (e.g., low-drift nozzles) to reduce off-target contamination.
Product Selection: Prefer formulations with lower toxicity, such as wettable powders or granules, rather than dusts or emulsifiable concentrates that are more hazardous to bees.
Label Compliance: Farmers should strictly adhere to pesticide label instructions regarding dosage, timing, and pre-harvest intervals.
6.3. Residue Monitoring and Regulation Enforcement
Routine monitoring of pesticide residues in honey, beeswax and hive products is essential to ensure compliance with national and international Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
1) Testing Programs: Establish regional laboratories to perform periodic sampling and analysis of honey products.
2) Data Sharing: Develop a centralized database for residue monitoring to support traceability and risk assessment.
3) Policy Implementation: Enforce penalties for misuse of banned or restricted pesticides and encourage registration of safer alternatives.
6.4. Buffer Zones and Forage Management
Creating safe zones and managing bee forage sources can significantly reduce exposure to pesticides.
1) Buffer Zones: Establish pesticide-free buffer areas (e.g., 3–5 km radius) around apiaries to minimize drift.
2) Bee-Friendly Flora: Promote the planting of diverse flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that provide uncontaminated nectar and pollen sources.
3) Habitat Restoration: Encourage agroforestry systems and natural vegetation corridors to sustain pollinator health.
6.5. Awareness Creation and Capacity Building
Educating farmers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers on the ecological importance of bees and the dangers of pesticide misuse is vital.
1) Training Programs: Conduct joint training sessions for farmers and beekeepers on safe pesticide handling, IPM, and pollinator protection.
2) Information Dissemination: Use local media, agricultural extension services, and cooperatives to spread awareness on best practices.
3) Community Cooperation: Foster collaboration between crop producers and beekeepers to synchronize spraying schedules and minimize risks.
6.6. Promotion of Organic and Sustainable Beekeeping
Encouraging organic beekeeping not only protects bees but also enhances the marketability and export potential of Ethiopian honey.
1) Certification Schemes: Support beekeepers in obtaining organic or fair-trade certification through government or cooperative initiatives.
2) Incentives and Support: Provide financial or technical assistance for organic inputs, hive management, and marketing.
3) Environmental Sustainability: Promote the use of natural pest repellents, botanical extracts, and mechanical controls instead of synthetic chemicals.
7. Discussion
Pesticide exposure has become a major challenge to honey production and quality in Ethiopia. The widespread use of synthetic chemicals, particularly neonicotinoids and organophosphates, endangers bee health, weakens colonies and contaminates honey. While acute exposure can lead to massive bee deaths, long-term exposure disrupts their ability to forage, navigate and resist disease ultimately lowering honey yield and quality.
Residues of pesticides such as organophosphates and pyrethroids found in Ethiopian honey raise serious concerns for both food safety and international trade. Contaminated honey not only poses health risks to consumers but also threatens export opportunities, as it may fail to meet strict international residue standards. These chemicals can also alter the natural taste, aroma and enzyme content of honey, reducing its overall quality and market value.
Beyond environmental and health impacts, pesticide misuse directly affects the livelihoods of smallholder beekeepers who rely on honey for income, nutrition and rural development. Protecting bees from harmful pesticide exposure is therefore essential to ensure sustainable honey production, safeguard rural livelihoods and maintain Ethiopia’s reputation for pure, high quality honey.
8. Conclusion
Pesticides pose a critical threat to the production of safe, high-quality honey in Ethiopia. Their effects on bee survival, honey composition and human health undermine both local livelihoods and export competitiveness. Sustainable solutions require integrating bee protection into pest management systems, strengthening monitoring and enforcement and promoting environmentally friendly and organic practices. Coordinated action among farmers, beekeepers, researchers and policymakers is essential to safeguard Ethiopia’s apiculture and ensure a resilient, residue-free honey industry.
9. Recommendations
1) Encourage Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Promote sustainable farming practices that minimize chemical use by combining biological control, crop rotation, and resistant crop varieties.
2) Timing of Pesticide Application: Avoid spraying pesticides during flowering or when bees are actively foraging to reduce exposure and protect pollinators.
3) Pesticide-Free Zones and Forage: Establish buffer areas around apiaries and plant bee-friendly flowers to provide safe foraging habitats.
4) Capacity Building and Training: Educate farmers and beekeepers on safe pesticide use, bee protection, and sustainable apiculture practices.
5) Promote Organic and Sustainable Beekeeping: Support certification schemes and environmentally friendly methods to enhance honey quality, market access, and long-term sustainability.
Abbreviations
IPM | Integrated Pest Management |
MRL | Maximum Residue Limit |
CCD | Colony Collapse Disorder |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization |
EFSA | European Food Safety Authority |
SNNP | Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples |
Author Contributions
Tegegn Teshome is the sole author. The author read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
References
| [1] |
Adgaba, N., Al-Ghamdi, A., Tadesse, Y., Getachew, A., & Workneh, A. (2017). Honey production systems (Apis mellifera L.) in Ethiopia: Challenges and opportunities. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 29(12), 1-9.
|
| [2] |
Bogdanov, S. (2011). Honey composition and properties. Bee Product Science, 1-9.
|
| [3] |
Bogdanov, S., Jurendic, T., Sieber, R., & Gallmann, P. (2008). Honey for nutrition and health: A review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 27(6), 677-689.
|
| [4] |
Codling, G., Al Naggar, Y., & Giesy, J. P. (2016). Concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey from major honey-producing countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(23), 23294-23303.
|
| [5] |
Doublet, V., Labarussias, M., de Miranda, J. R., Moritz, R. F., & Paxton, R. J. (2015). Exposure of honey bees to natural pathogens impairs immunity and promotes colony losses. PLoS Pathogens, 11(3), e1004814.
|
| [6] |
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). (2018). Evaluation of the toxicity of pesticides on honey bees. EFSA Journal, 16(2), 5174.
|
| [7] |
FAO. (2022). Guidelines for sustainable apiculture and pesticide management. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
|
| [8] |
Gebremariam et al. (2020) - Emphasizes the socio-economic and medicinal importance of honey in Ethiopia.
|
| [9] |
Girma, D., Tadesse, Y., & Kebede, D. (2021). Pesticide residue contamination and its implications on Ethiopian honey export. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 31(2), 33-45.
|
| [10] |
Mnif, W., et al. (2011). Effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(6), 2265-2303.
|
| [11] |
Muli, E., et al. (2020). Impact of pesticide use on honey bee health in Africa: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(5), 281.
|
| [12] |
Siviter, H., & Muth, F. (2020). Do pesticides affect bee learning and cognition? A review. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 36, 69-76.
|
| [13] |
Tarekegn, T., Kebede, D., & Girma, D. (2023). Assessment of pesticide residues in Ethiopian honey and beeswax. Journal of Apicultural Research, 62(4), 520-532.
|
| [14] |
Van der Sluijs, J. P., et al. (2013). Neonicotinoids, bee disorders, and the sustainability of pollinator services. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 5(3-4), 293-305.
|
| [15] |
Yosef, M., Tadesse, S., & Teshome, T. (2022). Effects of pesticide contamination on the physicochemical properties of Ethiopian honey. African Journal of Food Science, 16(7), 201-210.
|
Cite This Article
-
APA Style
Teshome, T. (2026). Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. International Journal of Safety Research, 1(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
Copy
|
Download
ACS Style
Teshome, T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int. J. Saf. Res. 2026, 1(1), 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
Copy
|
Download
AMA Style
Teshome T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int J Saf Res. 2026;1(1):1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
Copy
|
Download
-
@article{10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11,
author = {Tegegn Teshome},
title = {Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia},
journal = {International Journal of Safety Research},
volume = {1},
number = {1},
pages = {1-5},
doi = {10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsr.20260101.11},
abstract = {Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.},
year = {2026}
}
Copy
|
Download
-
TY - JOUR
T1 - Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia
AU - Tegegn Teshome
Y1 - 2026/01/08
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
DO - 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
T2 - International Journal of Safety Research
JF - International Journal of Safety Research
JO - International Journal of Safety Research
SP - 1
EP - 5
PB - Science Publishing Group
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
AB - Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.
VL - 1
IS - 1
ER -
Copy
|
Download
Share This Article
Twitter
Linked In
Facebook