Honey can go bad

Question

This article claims that honey goes bad. It explains how it go bad in different ways and explains how to make it last longer.

Some sources they site ishttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8880294/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3448763/

Some other articles includehttps://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/does-honey-go-bad

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/does-honey-expire/

Comments

I like how you used both academic journal/research sources as well as more digestible sources from recipe and cooking websites. While there isnt a lot of data included in these sources, each site has a very similar set of information shared - honey doesnt really go bad if it is stored correctly. Honey can make certain people sick, such as infants, and it can change with age depending on the type of honey and how processed it is.

Answer 1

This claim is true. Honey can stay good even when it changes color or crystalizes, although it can go bad when stored incorrectly. Mississippi State University released a short article stating that honey will not go bad when stored properly. They said that when honey foams or smells bad (like alcohol), it's best to throw it out. They also stated that if honey is exposed to contaminants or when stored poorly, it can end up going bad. 

Another source, Just Bee Honey, made the same claims.

Answer 2

This claim is true. While honey does have a reputation for staying good for a long time, if not stored properly, it can go bad. This usually manifests itself in mold or fungus growing on the honey.

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7962112/does-honey-go-bad/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20honey%20doesn't,it's%20time%20to%20toss%20it.

Comments

I appreciate your straightforwardness with the answer and the evidence provided, the article sadly does not mention any data. Would there be any data regarding how long the honey could last by year? As well as in different temperatures and climates?

Answer 3

Honey can go bad under the right circumstances. If the lid stays on, and moisture doesn't get into the bottle, it is theoretically fine for a very, very long time. However, the Food Network suggests that throwing away a bottle of honey after a year is a wise practice due to quality concerns. If your honey has mold in it or appears thick and cloudy, it may be worthwhile to just buy a new jar.  

https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/does-honey-go-bad