Honey, there’s nothing new in CSE report, say Bangalore doctors

The revelation by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), on antibiotic contamination in bottled honey brands sold across the country has raised serious concerns.

Doctors in the city, however, have expressed skepticism.

According to doctors, the fact that honey contained antibiotics was known even before.

Some went so far as to say that it was this presence of antibiotics that made honey a desirable thing for patients.

“There is no reason why I should not prescribe honey to my patients. It is the most effective and natural way to generate heat, and also create and replace energy. It supplies substances for the formation of enzymes and other biological ferments to promote oxidation. The advantages are much higher than its side effects,” said Dr Dwijendra Prasad, consultant, internal medicine, BGS Global Hospitals.

Commenting on the antibiotics’ dose, he said, “Yes, there is a chance of antibiotic resistance, but that danger comes not only from honey. Many other substances that are routinely consumed, especially meat, contain antibiotics. Cattle at slaughter houses and poultry chicken are fed antibiotics. The risk of contamination is much more in these cases, because the meat is consumed directly, often without any processing.”

Ayurvedic doctors too harp on the fact that honey plays a major role in a treatment. “We use honey in many forms of treatment. For example, a mixture of honey and tulsi is the perfect medicine for cold and fever. It could also be used for weight management. So far, we have not seen any side effects,” said Dr Shweta, general physician, Poornayu Ayurveda Hospital.

“Honey has been associated with the treatment of persistent coughs and sore throat. It also helps in cleansing blood and has positive effects on the regulation of blood circulation and much more. After milk, it is honey that we would recommend for pregnant women and children,”said Farhana Afroz, a nutritionist.
Even bee farmers argue that no contamination takes place during the extraction process.

“We do not mix anything. The honey is collected during June-August and supplied within 8-10 days to companies for further processing.  There is no chance of contamination, the honey combs are natural,” said Aswath Narayan Gowda, president, Large-scale Adivasis Multi-purpose Cooperative Societies.

Santosh V, owner, Sahyadri enterprises, says, “Antibiotics are used in our process of honey extraction. The process that we have is natural, thus there is no way that a contamination can take place.”