The short answer to this question is that as far as I can see there is no good scientific research that supports the claim that organic honey is better for you than good quality regular honey.
It is often assumed that because something is labelled organic it is better for you and the environment but this is not always the case.
That does not mean that organic honey is bad. It just means that there is more to the answer than simple certification and labelling.
Organic Rules
A bee collecting nectar from borage
One of the main reasons given to buy organic honey is that it does not contain introduced chemicals but is that actually true?
The Soil Association rules allow the use of the following chemicals to control the varroa mite within the hive:
Formic Acid, Lactic Acid, Oxalic Acid, Menthol, Thymol, Eucalyptol, Camphor and “veterinary treatments that are compulsory under national or community legislation”.
This information is contained within Section 3.17.12 of their organic honey standards. Therefore it is not possible to say organic honey is always chemical free.
With regard to possible agrochemical contamination, the rules say this ( Section 3.17.17) about the area around the bee hives. It needs to consist essentially of organic crops and other forage acceptable to the Soil Association within 3km. We know bees will fly up to 3 miles and in exceptional circumstances further. This gives them access to conventionally grow crops if they are in the area between 3km and 3 miles.
The other reason for buying organic honey is environmental. However, in the UK this involves importing honey from all around the world. This dramatically increases the environmental footprint of organic honey compared with local honey.
There is more about the organic rules from the UK Soil Association and how they affect beekeeping on my YouTube video at https://youtu.be/LRI5Z-0qNgU
Please check the rules at https://www.soilassociation.org/media/15931/farming-and-growing-standards.pdf as they are subject to change. The ones quoted are correct as at 25th February 2022.
Unprocessed Honey
It is scientifically the case that unprocessed honey is better for you than processed. Proper scientific research into the health giving effects is ongoing but in many cases it is what honey contains that is good for you. After all, honey is sugar and we know that too much sugar is not good for you. Unprocessed honey still contains all the goodies.
For more information on this please see my blog “Is Honey Good For You?” https://www.cotswoldbees.co.uk/is-honey-good-for-you/ and also my YouTube Video https://youtu.be/5xUmshJUx_0
The honey that has been processed the least is comb honey. That is why the majority of the honey we sell here at Cotswold Bees Ltd is either full or cut comb.
A completed frame of honey fresh from the hive.
In conclusion, given the choice of local honey from a known source or imported organic honey I would go for the local honey every time – but then I am biased to my own honey!!!