Filtered honey
Honey from which foreign matter was removed with a significant loss of pollen. A separate EU type until 13 June 2026; such honey is now baker's honey.
Filtered honey used to be an EU category: honey obtained by removing foreign inorganic or organic matter in a way that significantly removes pollen. Since 14 June 2026, under Directive (EU) 2024/1438, filtered honey is no longer listed as a type, and honey with pollen significantly removed is baker's honey.
Products placed on the market or labelled before that date may be sold until stocks run out. Before the change the name could not be replaced by plain honey, and the full name was required on bulk containers, packs and trade documents. The Codex standard still lists filtered honey. Pollen matters because it helps identify botanical and geographical origin; FAO noted in 1996 that European rules forbade complete filtration for that reason. Ultrafiltered honey loses some flavour and colour. Ordinary straining through nylon mesh or a sieve removes wax and debris but leaves the pollen.
Why this matters to you: honey sold as honey must not have its pollen removed, except where unavoidable when taking out foreign matter. Filtered honey on an old label is stock from before the change, and pollen is also what supports claims such as monofloral honey.
Facts
| Legal basis | Directive 2001/110/EC (until 13 June 2026); Directive (EU) 2024/1438 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Category deleted from 14 June 2026; old stock may be sold |
| Main use | Honey with pollen significantly removed is baker's honey |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Filtered honey → kind of → Forms of honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Forms of honey
- Similar and different
- Raw honey
Frequently asked questions
Is filtered honey still a separate type of honey in the EU?
No. Since 14 June 2026, under Directive (EU) 2024/1438, it is no longer listed as a type. It used to be honey from which foreign matter was removed in a way that significantly removes pollen.
What is honey with pollen significantly removed called now?
Baker's honey.
Is it true that strained honey is the same as filtered honey?
No. Ordinary straining through nylon mesh or a sieve removes wax and debris but leaves the pollen in.
Why does pollen matter in honey?
Pollen helps identify the botanical and geographical origin of honey. It also supports claims such as monofloral honey.
Can filtered honey still turn up on a label?
Yes, an old one. Products placed on the market or labelled before 14 June 2026 may be sold until stocks run out.
Similar
Baker's honey · Comb honey · Creamed honey
ℹ️ Honey is mostly sugars: about 82 g per 100 g. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old because of the risk of infant botulism.
Sources
- Directive (EU) 2024/1438 amending Directive 2001/110/EC (honey origin labelling)
- Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey (consolidated text, EUR-Lex)
- Codex Alimentarius, Standard for Honey CODEX STAN 12-1981
- FAO, Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey (recipes: liquid, creamed, comb honey)
- FAO, Krell R. (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey