Honey laundering

Richard Brodie, a beekeeper in the Scottish Borders region, has been stung by a £600 fine (c$1000) for passing off cheap Argentinian honey as his own Borders Honey.

The label on the £3 jars, 25 litres of which were distributed to specialist food shops, said that the traditional Woodland Honey came from “our own carefully managed colonies” at Brodie’s apiary.

And how was he discovered? Another beekeeper William Robson suggested he withdraw the honey — and when he didn't, Robson informed Trading Standards Officers. Brodie was charged under the Food Safety Act of being likely to mislead as to the nature of food.