This week, state Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) advanced legislation in the Illinois House that would help small-scale beekeepers sell excess honey without state regulation.
 House Bill 6132, which passed unanimously through the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, defines honey as a raw agricultural commodity not subject to regulation under the Department of Public Health.  Currently, honey sold by small producers in Illinois is classified under processed food, which requires specific rules to be followed and is very expensive to maintain proper equipment and associated permits.  However, since the unadulterated honey sold by smaller beekeepers cannot be contaminated with bacteria, it would be unnecessary to subject the product to state inspections.
 “Beekeepers are important to the agricultural community in Illinois and this legislation will eliminate the burdensome regulations associated with processing honey,” said Reitz.  “By reducing the cost and labor to beekeepers, it will be easier for them to sell their honey to local markets at a reasonable price.”