BeezKnees

Honey Regulations in the UK – Labelling, Food Safety & Good Practice

If you harvest honey from your own hives, you may wonder what rules apply — especially if you give jars to friends or sell small amounts. UK honey regulations exist to protect consumers and ensure honesty, not to make life difficult for beekeepers.

Good news: most hobby and small-scale beekeepers already meet the requirements simply by handling honey cleanly, labelling it honestly, and keeping basic records.

Do Honey Regulations Apply to Me?

UK honey regulations apply whenever honey is placed on the market — this includes selling, bartering, or supplying honey as part of a business. Even if you only sell a few jars a year, the principles of food safety and honest labelling still apply.

If you only consume your own honey at home, formal labelling rules don’t apply — but good hygiene and clean handling are still important.

Food Safety & Hygiene

Honey is classed as a food product. This means it should be handled in a way that prevents contamination and protects consumers.

Good practice includes:

See also: Extracting Honey and Beekeeping Hygiene.

Honey Labelling Requirements (UK)

When honey is sold or supplied, labels must be clear and honest. The exact requirements depend on circumstances, but commonly include:

Important: honey must not be misleadingly labelled. Descriptions such as “raw”, “organic”, or floral claims should only be used where they are accurate and defensible.

Selling Honey – Small-Scale Beekeepers

Many UK beekeepers sell small amounts of honey locally. In most cases, this is permitted provided food safety and labelling requirements are met.

You may also need to:

Requirements can vary slightly between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — always check local guidance.

Records & Traceability

Keeping simple records helps demonstrate good practice and traceability. This may include:

See: Veterinary Medicine Records and Free Downloads for templates.

Official UK Guidance

Always refer to official sources for the most up-to-date and authoritative information:

Remember: this page provides guidance, not legal advice. When in doubt, check official sources or speak to your local authority.