Ep 4. A Sweet Deal

The Rotten is a Netflix original series that investigates various aspects of the food industry and exposes the hidden truths behind the foods we eat every day. In the season 2 episode 4 of Rotten titled A Sweet Deal, the focus is on the global trade of honey.

The episode starts with a scene from Montana where beekeeper Lloyd Cunniff is trying to reload his truck with honey boxes stolen from his farm. The theft of honey is a growing problem in the USA and around the world, and even small-scale beekeepers like Lloyd suffer huge losses due to it. The episode then delves into the massive industry of honey production and the various challenges it faces.

One of the most significant challenges for honey producers is the depletion of bee population due to habitat destruction, parasites, and pesticides. The episode highlights how the bee population directly impacts the global production of honey and the price consumers pay for it. The production of honey is highly dependent on the availability of bees, and any decline in their population directly affects the supply chain. Moreover, massive honey producers often resort to the use of harmful chemicals to keep their bees healthy, which indirectly affects the quality of honey that reaches the consumers.

Another challenge in the honey industry is the fraudulent practices that are common among honey traders. The episode reveals how some honey traders mix honey with corn syrup and other additives to increase the volume and reduce the cost. This not only affects the quality and authenticity of honey but also poses a significant threat to the health of people who consume it. Fake honey often contains high levels of antibiotics and other adulterants, which can adversely impact human health.

To tackle these problems, the episode focuses on a few innovative solutions that are being developed in different parts of the world. For instance, a group of researchers in Italy is trying to develop a new honey-making method that reduces the need for bees. This method involves treating pollen with a type of fungus that converts it into honey-like substance. Although this method is still in the experimental stage, it has the potential to revolutionize the honey industry.

The episode also explores how technology is being used to detect fake honey. Researchers in Germany are developing a new type of sensor that can detect even the smallest traces of adulterants in honey. This could be a game-changer for the honey industry making it easier for producers to detect and eliminate the fake honey from the market.

Overall, Rotten season 2 episode 4 A Sweet Deal is an eye-opening exploration of the challenges and opportunities in the global honey trade. It not only exposes the fraudulent practices of honey traders but also highlights the innovative solutions that are being developed to tackle these problems. The episode drives home the point that the quality and authenticity of the food we eat are critical to our health and well-being, and it's our responsibility as consumers to demand transparency and accountability from the food industry.