Honey Labeling
Lexikon
A honey jar must carry the sales designation, the net quantity, the best-before date, the name and address of the food business operator, and the country of origin.
A honey jar must carry the sales designation, the net quantity, the best-before date, the name and address of the food business operator, and the country of origin. A list of ingredients is not required, because honey consists of a single ingredient. Pollen is not an additive in this respect, but a natural component.
The legal situation regarding the origin declaration has changed. Since June 14, 2026, the amended Honey Regulation (Germany) applies, implementing the European breakfast directive. If the honey comes from more than one country, all countries of origin must be named in descending order of their weight share together with the respective percentage, and this must appear in the main field of vision. A deviation of five percent per share is permitted. The earlier collective statements such as blend of honeys from EU countries are therefore no longer valid. For packages under thirty grams, country codes may be used. For a beekeeper who only bottles their own honey, nothing changes; the label states Germany.
The font size is prescribed: at least 1.2 millimeters x-height for the mandatory information, 0.9 millimeters for very small packages. Separate minimum heights apply to the quantity statement; for a 500-gram jar it is four millimeters.
The beekeeper sets the best-before date themselves. The common two years is a recommendation, not a requirement. Baker's honey additionally carries the notice that it is intended only for cooking and baking.