Diagnostic of the harvesting and processing conditions of honey from the Apis mellifera bees.

Resumo

Although its potential for the production of high honey amounts, Brazilian producers need to be adapted to the new commercialization requirements that involve traceability and application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GPM). The objective of this study was to evaluate the conditions under which the honey harvesting and processing is carried out. The apiaries and honey houses of 13 beekeepers were investigated during the harvesting and processing from May to July 2006 using questionnaire application and. The results indicated that only 23.1% of the beekeepers correctly accomplish the management in the apiaries. 15.4% of the evaluated facilities were in accordance with the Brazilian legislation, whereas the use of utensils and equipments under bad conditions or their absence were observed in 61.5 % of the apiaries and honey houses. The aspects concerning to personal, equipments and facilities hygiene were not in accordance to the Good Manufacturing Practices for food production. Training the manufacturers in respect to management, harvest and extraction of the honey is recommended to improve the quality of the product and to enhance the competitiveness of the Brazilian honey in more demanding markets.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14685/rebrapa.v2i2.55