Filtered 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.