What Rowse Says About Its Honey
Rowse Honey officially markets its products as "100% Pure and Natural," a claim found on its own website and retailer listings. According to the company, their honey contains nothing added and has none of the natural goodness taken away. The company operates under UK and formerly EU honey regulations, which prohibit honey packers from heating honey to pasteurisation temperatures, a process that can destroy natural enzymes. Instead, Rowse states that they gently warm the honey to filter out small particles like bee wax or hive parts before packaging, ensuring the product remains in a pure and natural state.
The Importance of Batch Testing
To ensure quality and authenticity, Rowse subjects its honey to a rigorous testing process. Before they accept any batch, it undergoes multiple tests, including independent laboratory checks. These tests are designed to screen for a wide range of issues, from pesticide residues to sugar syrup adulteration. This is a critical step for a company sourcing globally, as it helps mitigate the risk of fraud from suppliers. For their premium Manuka honey line, Rowse even mentions a triple-testing process to verify its authenticity.
The Role of Blending in Rowse Honey
One of the most frequent sources of consumer confusion and concern stems from Rowse's practice of blending honey. As a natural product subject to seasonal and regional variations, honey supply can fluctuate significantly. To meet consumer demand for a consistent product, Rowse sources honey from multiple countries across the globe, including both EU and non-EU origins. This allows them to create a honey that maintains a reliable flavour, colour, and texture year-round. UK labelling regulations permit this practice, with products simply labelled according to their origin status (e.g., 'Blend of EU and non-EU honeys').
The Broader Honey Fraud Scandal
Recent media reports have cast a long shadow over the honey industry, raising consumer doubts about even trusted brands. For example, a 2023 European Commission investigation found that almost half of the honey samples tested were potentially fraudulent. A subsequent UK investigation in 2024 by the Honey Authenticity Network found that over 90% of samples from major UK retailers failed authenticity tests. While these reports do not single out Rowse specifically for proven misconduct, they have certainly contributed to a climate of suspicion. Consumer reviews on retail websites reflect this unease, with some questioning the blend's purity. This general scandal is what has caused so many people to ask whether Rowse honey is actual honey.
Comparison: Blended vs. Single-Origin Honey
| Feature | Rowse Blended Honey | Single-Origin Honey |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | A mix of honeys sourced globally to ensure supply and consistency. | From a specific location and floral source (e.g., Manuka, Clover). |
| Taste & Colour | Consistent year-round due to expert blending. | Can vary significantly depending on the floral source, location, and season. |
| Processing | Gently warmed and filtered to remove particles, not pasteurised. | Can be raw (unprocessed) or lightly processed, but often less treated than large-scale blends. |
| Purity Claim | Claimed as 100% pure and natural, subject to extensive testing. | Often marketed as raw and unpasteurised, but still susceptible to fraud if not carefully sourced. |
| Price | Generally lower due to the economies of scale and global sourcing. | Typically higher due to its specialty and often less processed nature. |
Is Rowse honey actual honey? The Verdict
Based on Rowse Honey's own information and ingredient lists, their products are comprised solely of honey, with no other additives or preservatives. They explicitly state their quality control processes, including testing for adulteration, to ensure purity. The key takeaway is that the average Rowse product is a blended honey, not a single-source, raw honey. While this blending is a common industry practice to ensure consistent supply and flavour, it is this specific characteristic that often confuses consumers and draws comparisons to the wider, genuine issues of honey fraud documented by sources like The Guardian and consumer organisations. Rowse is legally compliant and claims strict testing, but consumer wariness remains due to broader industry problems. The ultimate verdict depends on your definition of "actual honey": if you seek a single-origin, raw product, Rowse blends may not be for you. If a consistent, pure-but-blended product is fine, Rowse fits the bill.
Conclusion: Navigating the Honey Aisle
Consumers are right to be vigilant about food authenticity, especially given the documented issues within the honey industry. Rowse's transparent FAQs detail their commitment to testing and the rationale behind their global blending strategy. By understanding the difference between a pure, blended product and a fraudulent, adulterated one, you can make an informed choice. To learn more about their specific practices, you can visit the official Rowse Honey FAQ page.
