Why is honey not vegan?

Veganism has become a widely accepted diet, with the perception shifting from it being a more extreme form of vegetarianism to a popular lifestyle.

Being vegan has never been so simple thanks to the huge range of vegan alternative products and vegan ranges from popular restaurants and establishments like McDonalds and Greggs.

But there are still some things about veganism that can feel like a curveball.

Vegans know to avoid anything that’s been made from animals or animal products, but then there are some products that are prohibited from the diet that don’t seem to fit in, including honey.

So, why is honey considered unsuitable for vegans?

Why don’t vegans eat honey?

The reason many vegans eschew honey is that the production of the nectar can be harmful to bees.

As per the Vegan Society, honey is made by bees for bees, and their health can be sacrificed when it is harvested by humans.

When humans give the bees a sugar substance to replace the honey taken, it lacks essential nutrients they need and can affect their lifespan.

Moreover, with conventional commercial beekeeping – beekeeping with the intent of selling honey yields – honey bees are specifically bred to increase productivity. This selective breeding narrows the population gene pool and increases susceptibility to disease and large-scale die-offs.

Diseases can also be introduced and spread by importing non-native species of bees for use in hives.

These diseases can then spread to the plants and wildlife the bees interact with, disrupting the life cycle.

There are also bee-free honey ranges available.

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