THS KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
What is chain of custody in honey production?
Chain of custody is the connected account of who held, handled and transferred honey as it moved from its source to the finished product.
Why it continues beyond the apiary
Honey may be extracted, stored, transferred, blended and packed by different organisations. Knowing the beekeeper is valuable, but the later stages also need a clear account.
THS’s proposed scope therefore includes honey producers and packing facilities. Where a business carries out both activities, the relevant activities need to be identified rather than assumed to be covered by one generic description.
Follow each handover
A useful handover connects the supplier and recipient, the batch identity, the quantity and the transfer date. The recipient can then connect the received batch to its own storage or processing records.
If batch identifiers change, preserve the connection between the old and new references. If containers are split or batches combined, record the relationship so that the finished lot can still be followed backwards.
Explain quantities as well as identities
For example, a packer receives a 100 kg source batch. Its records can explain how much was packed, what remains in storage and any recorded loss or other use.
This is an illustrative reconciliation, not a THS tolerance or pass threshold. The purpose is to make unexplained differences visible and provide a basis for further questions.
Be clear about certificate scope
Producer certification and packing certification describe different activities. A packing certificate should not be treated as proof that the packer produced the honey. Check the organisation, covered activities, sites and validity shown in the register.
Similarly, an organisation-level certificate should not be interpreted as a laboratory result for every jar or batch. The scheme’s adopted rules will determine which claims can be made.
Prepare a connected batch history
Choose one finished lot and follow it back through packing, transfers and source records. Identify gaps in the connection and improve the existing record system where needed.
This is a useful preparation exercise while THS’s detailed requirements are being developed. It does not constitute certification or an adopted inspection checklist.
Explore further
Have a question or correction? Contact The Honey Standard.