Bees now produce blue honey?

The problem has been in evidence since August, but after some honey-based detective work, it was discovered that a biogas plant 2.5 miles away was the main offender.

It has been processing waste from a nearby Mars plant which produces the small sweets' red, blue, green, yellow and brown shells.

However, while the wacky shades of honey may raise a smile or two among the public, it presents a real problem for the dozen or so affected beekeepers in Alsace.

According to Alain Frieh, president of the apiculturists’ union, they are already dealing with high bee mortality rates and dwindling honey supplies after a tough winter.

He said while it tastes like honey, the product wouldn't be able to go on sale.

'For me, it’s not honey. It’s not sellable,' he said. France is one of the largest producers of honey in Europe, producing around 18,330 tonnes annually.

According to the Alsace chamber of agriculture, there are around 2,400 beekeepers in the region tending to around 35,000 colonies which produce approximately 1,000 tonnes of honey a year.


/metro.co.uk/