Food Labelling for Honey

You have extracted, strained and bottled your honey. It is beautifully golden and tastes excellent. Now you want to sell it, give it as gifts, or offer it at the weekly market. But wait -- before a single jar leaves your house, the label must be correct. And "correct" means: it must comply with the Honey Regulation (HonigV), the Food Information Regulation (LMIV) and other provisions.

Labelling requirements are not an end in themselves. They protect the consumer and create transparency. In this lesson, we go through all mandatory information -- and show you how to design your label in a legally compliant way.

Legal Framework Overview

Three legal acts form the framework for honey labelling in Germany:

1. Honey Regulation (HonigV)

The Honey Regulation (Verordnung ueber Honig, dated 16 January 2004, last amended 25 November 2025) transposes EU Honey Directive 2001/110/EC into German law. It defines:

• What may be sold as "honey" at all
• Which quality requirements apply (moisture content, HMF value, diastase number)
• Which trade descriptions are permitted (e.g. "blossom honey", "honeydew honey")
• Which additives and treatments are prohibited

2. Food Information Regulation (LMIV)

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (LMIV) is the central EU regulation on food labelling. It applies to all food placed on the market in the EU -- including honey. The LMIV regulates:

• Which mandatory information must appear on the label
• The font size (minimum x-height: 1.2 mm, for packages under 80 cm²: 0.9 mm)
• The nutrition declaration
• Allergen labelling

3. Food Hygiene Regulation (LMHV)

The LMHV regulates hygiene requirements for the production and processing of food. Relevant for beekeepers: the extraction room must meet certain standards, and bottling must be carried out hygienically. The LMHV does not directly concern labelling itself, but it is the reason why you must include your name and address on the label -- traceability.

The 6 Mandatory Items on a Honey Label (Plus Conditional Information)

Every honey label must contain the following information. If even one item is missing, the label is non-compliant.

1. Trade Description

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The trade description states what is in the jar. For honey, it is prescribed in the HonigV:

2. Country of Origin

With the amendment of the EU Honey Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1438, applicable from 14 June 2026), the countries of origin must be stated on the label. For German beekeepers' honey, this is simple:

• "German honey" or "Origin: Germany"
• For blends from different countries, from 14 June 2026 all countries of origin must be listed with percentages in descending order
• The statement "Blend of honeys from EU and non-EU countries" is not relevant for German beekeepers, but you will see it on imported honey

3. Net Quantity

The net quantity must be stated in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). The common sizes:

• 250 g -- smallest common retail unit
• 500 g -- standard honey jar
• 1,000 g (1 kg) -- large pack

The fill quantity must correspond to the actual quantity. The tolerances of the Pre-packaged Products Regulation (FPackV) apply. For 500 g, the permissible minus deviation is 15 g (3 %). This means: a jar labelled 500 g may not contain less than 485 g.

4. Best Before Date (BBD)

The BBD must be stated in the format "best before ... (month/year)" or "best before end ... (year)". For honey, the BBD is rather conservative:

• Standard: 2 years from bottling (industry standard)
• Permitted: also longer, as long as it can be objectively justified
• Honey is virtually indefinitely shelf-stable when stored correctly, but the BBD is a legal requirement
• The DIB recommends 2 years from bottling

Format examples:

• "Best before: 12/2028"
• "Best before end 2028"

5. Name and Address of the Food Business Operator

The name and full postal address of the responsible food business operator must appear on the label. That is you as the beekeeper.

Minimum details:

• Full name (first name and surname or business name)
• Street and house number
• Postcode and town

Example:

Thomas Mueller, Imkerei Mueller Waldweg 12, 80331 Munich

6. Lot Number / Batch Designation

The lot number (also batch designation or L number) serves traceability. In the event of a complaint, it allows precise identification of which bottling run is affected.

Requirements:

• Format: "L" followed by a number or combination (e.g. "L 2026-07-01" or "L 0726A")
• Not required on the label if the BBD includes day and month (the BBD then replaces the lot number)
• If "best before end [year]" is used, the lot number is mandatory

7. Nutrition Declaration

Since the LMIV, nutritional information must appear on the label. However, for honey there is an important exception:

If you nevertheless wish to (or must) provide the nutritional values, the standard values for honey are:

8. Allergen Labelling

Honey itself is not an allergen under LMIV Annex II (the 14 major allergens). However, a warning must appear on the label if:

• The honey contains additives that are allergens (e.g. nuts in honey with nut pieces)
• For composite products (honey mustard, honey spread with milk, etc.)

For pure honey without additives, no allergen labelling is required. Tip: the voluntary note "Not suitable for children under 12 months" (due to botulism risk) is not legally required but is recommended by many beekeeping associations and consumer protection organisations.

9. Storage Instructions

A storage instruction is not directly prescribed by the LMIV for honey (only for foods requiring special storage after opening), but it is recommended:

"Store in a cool, dry and dark place."

This instruction is voluntary but good practice. Heat and light degrade honey quality (HMF increase, enzyme degradation).

The Complete Label Checklist

DIB Jar: Special Rules of the German Beekeepers' Association

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The DIB jar (Deutscher Imkerbund e.V. -- German Beekeepers' Association) is the most recognised honey jar in Germany. The green warranty band with the beekeeper logo is a trademark, not a legal standard. Anyone wishing to use the DIB jar must be a member of the DIB and comply with the DIB trademark regulations.

DIB Jar vs. Plain Jar

DIB Label: What Must Be Filled In

The DIB label is pre-printed and already contains most mandatory information. The beekeeper only needs to add:

Organic Honey: EU Organic Logo and Control Body

If you want to market your honey as organic honey or ecologically produced honey, you must be certified and design your label accordingly. The legal basis is EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 (more in Lesson 5).

Mandatory Information on the Organic Label

In addition to the standard mandatory information, the organic label must include:

• The EU organic logo (green leaf with stars) -- mandatory for pre-packaged organic food
• The code number of the control body (e.g. "DE-OEK-006" for Abcert)
• The origin statement: "EU Agriculture", "Non-EU Agriculture" or "German Agriculture"
• Optional: association logo (Demeter, Bioland, Naturland) if a member of the association

Price Indication Regulation (PAngV)

If you sell honey commercially (i.e. not just occasionally as gifts), you must comply with the Price Indication Regulation (PAngV):

Base Price Obligation

For honey, the base price per kilogram must always be displayed alongside the selling price.

Example at the market stall:

Summer harvest honey 500 g -- EUR 8.50 (EUR 17.00/kg)

Exceptions:

• At weekly markets with direct sales by the producer, simplified rules apply
• For fill quantities of exactly 1 kg, the base price indication is not required (selling price = base price)

Price Labelling for Different Sales Channels

Common Labelling Mistakes

From practical experience in food inspections and beekeeping associations, the same mistakes appear repeatedly:

Mistake 1: "Honey from beekeeper Mueller" as a trade description

This is not a permitted trade description. "Honey" alone would be correct. "From beekeeper Mueller" can appear as a supplement but does not replace the trade description under the HonigV.

Mistake 2: Missing or incorrect country of origin

"From the region" or "regional honey" is not sufficient as a country of origin statement. It must read: "German honey" or "Origin: Germany".

Mistake 3: BBD in wrong format

"Shelf life until 2028" is not correct. It must read: "Best before end 2028" or "Best before 12/2028".

Mistake 4: Missing address

Just the name without an address is not sufficient. The full postal address (street, house number, postcode, town) must be provided.

Mistake 5: Impermissible health claims

Statements such as "Honey cures colds", "Natural antibiotic" or "Strengthens the immune system" are health claims under the Health Claims Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. There are no approved health claims for honey. Such statements on the label or in advertising are prohibited.

Mistake 6: Incorrect varietal description

"Lime blossom honey" that mainly consists of rapeseed nectar is a misleading claim under Section 11 of the German Food Code (LFGB). If you are unsure about the variety: use "blossom honey" or "summer harvest".

Labelling is the beekeeper's calling card. A correct, attractive label signals professionalism and builds trust. Those who cut corners here risk not only fines but also their good reputation with customers.

Step by Step: Designing Your Label

1. Determine the trade description

   Choose the correct description: "honey", "blossom honey", "honeydew honey" or a varietal description. If uncertain: have a varietal analysis carried out or choose a general description.

2. Compile mandatory information

   Compile all 6 mandatory items: trade description, country of origin, fill quantity, BBD, address, lot number. Check each item against the checklist.

3. Check font size

   The LMIV prescribes a minimum x-height of 1.2 mm (for packages with a surface area under 80 cm²: 0.9 mm). The x-height is the height of the lowercase letter "x" in the font used. Measure it!

4. Print or order labels

   Print the label yourself or order from a supplier. Use water- and honey-resistant material -- sticky hands during bottling are unavoidable.

5. Final check before bottling

   Check the finished label once more against the checklist. Best practice: have a second person proofread it. Typos in the address or BBD are annoying and costly.

QR Code as Added Value

A QR code on the honey label is not mandatory but offers excellent added value. It can link to a page that shows the customer:

• Where exactly the honey comes from (location map)
• Which nectar sources are available in the region
• Information about the beekeeper and the colonies
• Analysis results (moisture content, pollen analysis)
• The harvest date and batch

Special Cases

Summary

Correct honey labelling is no wizardry but requires diligence. The key takeaways:

1. 6 mandatory items must appear on every honey label: trade description, country of origin, fill quantity, BBD, address and lot number
2. The Honey Regulation defines what may be sold as honey and which descriptions are permitted
3. The LMIV regulates the general labelling requirements for all food products
4. The DIB jar has stricter quality standards than the HonigV
5. Organic labelling only with certification -- "bio" and "organic" are legally protected
6. Health claims on the label are prohibited (Health Claims Regulation)
7. A QR code is not mandatory but offers excellent added value for customers
8. Varietal honey must actually contain the declared variety -- when in doubt, use "blossom honey"

In the next lesson, we cover registering your beekeeping operation with the veterinary authority and tax office.