Avoid areas where allergenic or toxic plants may be present in significant amounts
Bees can collect nectars or pollen which can have allergenic or toxic effects on people.
In certain countries, this problem mainly concerns the collection and production of pollen. Pollen collected by bees can trigger allergic reactions in people sensitive to the given allergen if inhaled or ingested. In this case placing bees for pollen production in areas where plants that most frequently cause allergic reactions are present (such as parietaria, cypress, hornbeam, goldenrod, sunflower, etc.) should be avoided. However, there could also be accidental contamination. For pollen allergies, it is essential to inform the consumer that the intake of bee pollen can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. As regards toxic plants, the greatest risk is the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the pollen. Such alkaloids can be found in plants of botanical families such as: Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, and Leguminosae, less frequently in Convolvulaceae and Poaceae, and in at least one species of the Lamiaceae. Another toxic plant is the rhododendron. It is advisable to avoid areas with a high presence of these plants and to carry out laboratory analyzes to search for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the final honey product.
Warnings: May depend on the regulations in force in the given country.
Please check out the B-THENET Platform for the Best Beekeeping Practices tailored to each country in the national language, co-developed with practicing beekeepers in the National B-THENET Centres of those countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING
Ongoing | 2022-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden