Chile's National Honey Day Spotlights Bees' Role in Food Security and Antibacterial Research

Chile marked its National Honey Day on 6 August, emphasizing that bees pollinate about 60 % of the world’s food supply. Harriet Eeles, manager of the Cooperativa Mieles del Sur in Frutillar, warned that deforestation and agricultural land conversion threaten hive development and urged consumers to buy locally produced honey to ensure quality and support the sector.

A collaborative study by the University of Chile and Mexico’s Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas tested methanolic extracts from four Chilean honeys against six multi‑resistant bacteria isolated from dog skin lesions. In vitro results showed inhibition of all strains, with Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus most susceptible at low extract concentrations, suggesting Chilean honey could help address antibiotic resistance.