India's FOOD Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive as per which no residues of antibiotics and pesticide should be found in honey if they are to be sold in Indian market. Such strict measures have been taken since stringent measures have been followed in EU and the US.

It is illegal to use antibiotics in these countries and since they are the biggest export market for India, it is imperative that these standards are met. The move came after the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in one of its research paper said that very high levels of anti-bacterial compounds were found in honey brands that were sold in India as well as overseas markets.

The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, as per which most of the food are tested, has no mention of antibiotics and pesticides in honey and that is why the brands are not supposed to mention them. After testing many samples collected from well-known brands, FSSAI authorized state food and drug authorities (FDAs) as well as customs department to stop misdeeds.