Yes, mad honey is not illegal in the United Kingdom. The product Mad honey lies in the gray area as the sale of Mad Honey is not banned within the UK but it is subjected to food safety laws and regulations.
Mad Honey, a highly anticipated natural product from the high cliffs of Nepal and Turkey is believed to have health benefits and recreational effects. While there is a global sensation and buzz growing around the world for this unique product some countries have banned the product.
Available online from dedicated Mad Honey websites and some ecommerce stores this product is in high demand in the western market. While a group of people are buying and trying it over time there are people who are still unsure about the legal status of Mad Honey. A global consumer hub, the United States has no legal restrictions on the Mad Honey while other countries like the UK, Canada are still questioning the legal framework of mad honey.
How Mad Honey reached England ?
Following and tracing the ancient history of Mad Honey, it was brought to the UK via trade routes during the 18th century. Although the timing and exact path was not well mentioned, somewhere around 25 tons of mad honey were exported to Europe on an annual basis.
The sole purpose of this honey was for Medicinal point of use as the British understood its use in Turkish Folk Medicine. Another potential reason could be the Europeans preferred opium, tobacco and alcohol for relaxation and recreational purposes. Thus, leading to discovery of a new product Mad Honey that has medicinal use and recreational effects. This mass supply was recorded from a specific place known as Pontus, Black Sea Region of Turkey.
Overview of regulations for mad honey in the UK
First of all it is necessary to know how the UK sees the product Mad Honey. The product Mad Honey is not labelled as a drug or a controlled substance but as a food which gets framework for legal buy and sale. Since the product Mad Honey is categorized as a food product it is overseen by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK.
Food Standard Agency (FSA) and Food Application
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for defining what type of food is in order to ensure food safety and hygiene within the UK(England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The FSA has defined Mad Honey as food and not a controlled substance. This agency categorizes and regulates foods that require authorization before they can be sold in the UK. Here two main categories apply for Mad Honey in the UK.
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Traditional Food from Third Countries : Mad Honey is a traditional food of Turkey and Nepal. There are records of Gurung Hunters who have been using this product as a source of energy, healing alignment and folk medicine.
Although Mad Honey has been in use for more than 25 years and is applicable for Traditional food from third countries, it contains Grayanotoxin - a natural neurotoxin. Found in the flowers and nectar of Rhododendron Plants which shows some negative effects when consumed in higher doses. Thus, considering the general health, this Mad Honey made from nectar of Rhododendron Flowers has not yet been listed in the category of traditional medicine. - Novel Food : Mad Honey has been categorized as Novel food in the UK and EU as the product was not consumed significantly by people before 1997 AD. This is the main reason why it falls under the Novel Food category.
The product Mad Honey needs pre market authorization of FSA before it can be legally sold over the EU. For this the FSA demands accurate labelling of the product and shouldn’t be misleading to the consumers.
What makes Mad Honey Legal in the UK?
There are controversies regarding the legality of Mad Honey. Some have stated that the neurotoxin present in Mad Honey known as Grayanotoxins are classified as "novel psychoactive substances" (NPS) in the UK, which means they are controlled substances under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
This prohibits the production, supply, distribution, sale or possession of NPS with the intent to supply. However upon detailed analysis of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 there is no specific mention of Grayanotoxin in it. This clarifies that the product Mad Honey is not illegal.
Also, Grayanotoxin is not listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 because it is not a synthetic or lab-made substance. Which makes Mad Honey free to buy and sell within the United Kingdom.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK stated that the side effects seen after consuming Mad Honey is primarily due to overdose or overuse and is considered as food poisoning.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the UK does not specifically mention grayanotoxins or "mad honey." This Act primarily addresses the control and regulation of substances classified into three categories : Class A, B and C, based on their potential for harm and abuse. It includes substances like heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and various synthetic drugs.
Grayanotoxins, found in certain types of honey, are not listed among these controlled substances. So clearly side effects of The Mad Honey are food borne not drug related. This can be related to the fact that the Mad Honey is legal to buy and try in the United Kingdom.
Additionally the FSA has made some rules regarding honey which Mad Honey follows :
- Every Honey including Mad Honey must be labeled with specific information, including the country of origin, floral source and any additives(if present).
- The honey that is being sold should include detailed information on the composition, intended use and safety data of the product.
- FSA bans any product Making deceptive medical statements or claims about health benefits. If a seller provides medical statements regarding honey benefits, the product may be subject to additional regulations for medical food supplements and medicinal products.
- Consumers should be provided with clear documentation about the product's potency and adverse side effects that can bring.
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that honey or any product should not be marketed for its psychedelic effects.
The Gray future for Mad Honey
The Mad Honey Product contains Grayanotoxin which can show side effects when consumed in higher quantities. The product Mad Honey is neither fully legal nor fully illegal but this is subjected to change with time.
- The effect or harm caused can force FSA and other parties to intervene in the sale of Mad Honey.
- Subjected to food safety rules, the product Mad Honey is not regulated unless public health risks emerge.
- If mad honey is sold without proper warnings or if it causes harm which can lead to ban on the product reaching the consumer market.
- They might define the threshold of Grayanotoxin present and potency which can be serious issue as not all Mad Honey batch contains same levels of Grayanotoxin within them.
FAQs on Mad Honey Legality
Q: Can you buy mad honey in the UK?
A: Yes, but it is rare and unregulated. It is sold in Online stores (eBay, Etsy, niche websites like Medicinal Mad Honey).
Q: Is mad honey illegal in the UK?
A: No, mad honey is not illegal, but it is regulated under food safety laws. Also, it is not classified as a drug (unlike synthetic NPS).
