What’s Wrong With Honey?

Posted by Reilly on March 09, 2023

I’m sure you’ve heard the debate about whether or not honey is vegan. Just in case you’re still not sure, let us help you. Honey is NOT vegan—it comes from an exploited animal. All animals, including bees, exist for their own purposes, and they aren’t ours to exploit and manipulate for profit. 

Here are the top seven reasons why you should avoid honey:

1. Bees suffer on factory farms, just like chickens, pigs, and cows. 

These insects are mass-produced on bee farms, where they’re treated poorly, often injured, and confined to cramped, unnatural environments. 💔

2. Bees are injured in the process of collecting honey. 

Bee farmers can be careless when obtaining honey, and the wings and legs of these little creatures are often ripped off in the process. 😢 In addition, farmers may cut off the queen bee’s wings to make sure that she can’t leave the hive. 

3. Bees naturally pollinate flowers. 

Bees, flies, beetles, and other insects play an essential role in pollinating plants, which is necessary for plant reproduction. Commercially imported honeybees take habitat and food away from native pollinators and put them in danger of extinction. 🌻

4. Bees need their honey. 

Honey helps bees get through the winter, as it’s made with specific nutrients that are essential for their survival. 🍯

5. Honey is sold for profit. 

Bees are being exploited so that large organizations can profit from their honey. 💰

6. Bees are hard workers. 

A single worker bee may visit up to 10,000 flowers in one day and, in a lifetime, produce only one teaspoonful of honey. All bees have a specific job to do, depending on their age, their sex, and the time of year. 🐝 We shouldn’t be manipulating this process and confusing them. 

7. Stealing is wrong. 

Everyone knows stealing is wrong, so why would it be OK to take something from an animal? 🤔 Bees need their honey for survival, and they work so hard to make it. 

How You Can Help 

Helping bees is easy! Avoid all products that are made with honey. Sweeteners like agave and maple syrup are delicious alternatives. For cosmetics, choose vegan and cruelty-free products by using PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies database. 

Want to learn about other ways you can help bees? Check out our guide to humane insect control!