Al-Waili Noori, Salom Khelod, Al-Ghamdi Ahmed, Ansari Mohammad Javed
Waili Foundation for Science, Queens, NY 11418, USA.
ScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:930849. doi: 10.1100/2012/930849. Epub 2012 Oct 14.
Agricultural contamination with pesticides and antibiotics is a challenging problem that needs to be fully addressed. Bee products, such as honey, are widely consumed as food and medicine and their contamination may carry serious health hazards. Honey and other bee products are polluted by pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria and radioactive materials. Pesticide residues cause genetic mutations and cellular degradation and presence of antibiotics might increase resistant human or animal's pathogens. Many cases of infant botulisms have been attributed to contaminated honey. Honey may be very toxic when produced from certain plants. Ingestion of honey without knowing its source and safety might be problematic. Honey should be labeled to explore its origin, composition, and clear statement that it is free from contaminants. Honey that is not subjected for analysis and sterilization should not be used in infants, and should not be applied to wounds or used for medicinal purposes. This article reviews the extent and health impact of honey contamination and stresses on the introduction of a strict monitoring system and validation of acceptable minimal concentrations of pollutants or identifying maximum residue limits for bee products, in particular, honey.
农业中农药和抗生素的污染是一个具有挑战性的问题，需要得到充分解决。蜂蜜等蜂产品作为食品和药品被广泛食用，其污染可能带来严重的健康危害。蜂蜜和其他蜂产品受到农药、重金属、细菌和放射性物质的污染。农药残留会导致基因突变和细胞降解，而抗生素的存在可能会增加人类或动物病原体的耐药性。许多婴儿肉毒杆菌中毒病例都归因于受污染的蜂蜜。某些植物产出的蜂蜜可能毒性很强。在不了解蜂蜜来源和安全性的情况下食用蜂蜜可能会有问题。蜂蜜应标明其来源、成分，并明确声明不含污染物。未经分析和消毒的蜂蜜不应供婴儿食用，也不应涂抹在伤口上或用于医疗目的。本文综述了蜂蜜污染的程度及其对健康的影响，并强调要引入严格的监测系统，验证可接受的最低污染物浓度或确定蜂产品（尤其是蜂蜜）的最大残留限量。
