Thoughts on vegans and honey?

Question

I told an entomologist friend of mine that we vegans avoid honey because it causes the bees to starve and is therefore cruel. He said that bees produce at least 70% more honey than they use and that no beekeeper in his right mind would take more than that knowing that doing so would kill his bees and his livelihood. He suggested that there is no pragmatic purpose for people to avoid honey. He's obviously an expert on insects and I'm not, so I had no rebuttal other than to say, "But it's an animal product". He responded that that in itself doesn't mean much since consuming honey is neither harmful to one's health nor to the bees that produce it. There's a beekeeper at my local farmer's market on Saturday mornings. I may ask him about honey harvesting and starving bees as well. Thoughts?

Answer 1

I'm a vegetarian, but the reason I don't eat honey is that I do not like it.

Yes, you should talk to the beekeeper at the local farmer's market. He may even allow you to see what goes on at his farm. Try to keep an open mind and look at different sides of the issue. Much of what the entomologist tells you is accurate, but again, look at the issues and make up your own mind.  :)

Also, are you aware that trillions of insects and small animals are killed every year from the process of growing and harvesting vegetables? Then what about cotton and other fabric components? If a person is going to try to be the ultimate vegan, then one would have to buy all consumables from very selective growers.

Answer 2

If you decide to eat honey that will make you a strict vegetarian not a vegan. He is correct a bee keeper will never starve his bees. A few may die accidentally, but the same is true when veggies are harvested. I'd suggest getting your honey locally, where you know the bee keeper.  

Answer 3

I agree with the entomologist you spoke to.  Simple reason.  I also spoke to one down at the natural history museum in Houston and they said the very same thing.  They have a hive there where one can watch the bees make honey, come and go from the hive - educational tool to help people understand about bees.

As another pointed out, there are all sorts of websites out there that people will use as if it supports their view - and it actually does.  Problem is - not based on good science or fact.  Also doesn't address the reality of one that is indeed a beekeeper and the fact that they are not going to harm their livelihood.

There is study going on now on the effect of honey.  I recently read where they were looking into it because it is a natural antibiotic/antiseptic.

The only reason that I can see why some see it as an issue - is because such knowledge and information was not known back in the 40's when they started the vegan society and are still going from that original premiss.  

Answer 4

I'm a vegan, and I avoid honey, but I really don't think it's a big deal. We should be more concerned about meat, dairy, eggs, fur, etc. It's kind of counterproductive to argue with people and say eating honey is wrong, because then people will probably think vegans are just crazy (not that most people don't already). If somebody eats honey, I would still consider them a vegan (if that's the only animal product they eat). When you think about it, so many insects are killed growing fruits and vegetables, when you drive a car, etc.

Answer 5

http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm

Bees are often harmed as part of the process, and it's not uncommon to let the hive die over winter and start with a new batch in spring.

http://www.vegetus.org/honey/kill.htm

Honey isn't consistent with vegan principles. The vegan police aren't going to come get you if you eat it, but it carries a cost to animals as with anything that involves their exploitation.

Answer 6

Your entomologist friend is 100% accurate.

And instead of these ridiculous biased websites people post, how about going to a credible source on beekeeping like a university with an entomology or agriculture department or even the library where you can find title on keeping your own bees.  That way, you'll read the reality and the science, not the bull.

Answer 7

This is really good to know, I may still stay away from honey because it defeats the purpose of being vegan. Still really nice to know, thanks for the info!

Answer 8

Well, I would agree with him.  Bees make the honey, but it is not something that comes from a bee, such as dairy products from cows.

I'm not an expert on vegan practice, but it doesn't seem to me like it's something that would be a problem.

Answer 9

If you are strickly adhering to the vegan way you should advoid honey as you would advoid eggs.  Try aguave syrup.