Source: Capital Press
Several U.S. beekeepers are asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to revive a lawsuit alleging that honey importers, packers, and certification organizations have flooded the U.S. market with adulterated or mislabeled “fake honey.” The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, claims the defendants conspired to market fraudulent honey as genuine through the True Source Honey certification program, harming domestic producers by driving down prices.
In 2024, a federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that the allegations lacked the detailed facts required for fraud claims, including specific evidence identifying adulterated shipments, explaining how the honey was fake, and linking the alleged misconduct to individual defendants. The beekeepers argue the complaint provides a detailed account of the alleged scheme and that the court applied an excessively strict legal standard. They also contend they should have been allowed to amend their complaint. Defendants maintain the allegations remain speculative and cannot be cured through amendment.
Read the full story HERE: https://capitalpress.com/2026/05/22/beekeepers-ask-9th-circuit-to-revive-lawsuit-over-fake-honey/