CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Scottish Bee Company awarded first BSI Kitemark in UK for Food Assurance

Edinburgh’s Scottish Bee Company has become the first ever food product in the UK to be awarded the new British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark™ for Food Assurance.

Scottish Bee Company awarded first BSI Kitemark in UK for Food Assurance

Article Source: Taste Communications
Last Updated: 12 June 2020 12:38

Edinburgh's 'Scottish Bee Company' awarded UK’s first BSI Kitemark™ for Food Assurance

Scottish heather honey produced by Edinburgh’s Scottish Bee Company has become the first ever food product in the UK to be awarded the new British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark™ for Food Assurance.

The new BSI Kitemark has been created to help food sector organisations like the Scottish Bee Company to verify food label claims, deliver consumer trust and support transparency in the food chain.

With the launch of the new Kitemark, BSI has responded to the food industry’s increasing levels of food fraud by independently verifying food product label claims to rebuild years of eroded consumer confidence.

The Kitemark also enables brands, manufacturers, producers and suppliers to fulfil and communicate their commitment and customer promise whether it relates to authenticity, provenance, purity, socially responsible or environmentally sustainable agri-food production and supply.

Even after more than 100-years, the BSI Kitemark continues to be the beacon of quality, performance and safety to both consumers and business buying everything from Personal Protection Equipment to secure digital services.

The Kitemark is also a recognised symbol worldwide. With existing customers throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK, northern Europe and the USA, the Scottish Bee Company hopes its new status will help give people the extra assurance that when they buy a jar of ‘Scottish heather honey’, that is exactly what they are getting.

Honey is on Interpol’s list as one of the most adultered and fraudulent food products, but pure Scottish heather honey from the Edinburgh-based Scottish Bee Company is only produced in hives located in the Lothians, Dumfriesshire, Stirlingshire, Fife and Aberdeenshire.

Suzie Millar, Co-founder of The Scottish Bee Company, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be the first food product in the UK to have been awarded the new BSI Kitemark for Food Assurance.

“Provenance, purity, social responsibility and environmental sustainability is so important to us and we wanted to assure our customers around the world that when they buy a jar of our ‘Scottish heather honey’, that’s exactly what they’re getting.

“We’ve worked really hard to make sure we have a high quality, strong provenance message to separate us from the obviously adulterated honeys that are on the market.

“This significant new ‘Food Assurance’ status will hopefully raise the profile of our honey in the global market and go a step further to establishing it as a truly pure Scottish product.”


To achieve its BSI Kitemark for Food Assurance, the Scottish Bee Company had to have each step of its supply chain audited and its honey samples tested for pesticides and genetically modified organisms in an independent laboratory environment.

The company also had to send BSI information about where its hives are located and are open to being audited at any time to ensure they are in Scotland. They will continue to use regular photo verification with location services on throughout the year.

Howard Kerr, Chief Executive at BSI, said: “Today, people want to understand the important details about the food they eat.

“By extending the power of the Kitemark into areas like food authenticity and provenance, including the Scottish Bee Company, BSI can serve that need. After all, customers deserve food that’s safe, sustainable and socially responsible.”


The Scottish Bee Company was founded by Iain and Suzie Millar in 2017 out of a love for the environment and the honey bee. Iain and Suzie were saddened by the continually documented decline in the bee population, so they decided that they would do something to help. Along with dwindling bee numbers, they were also astonished to find how much honey consumed in the UK is imported from around the world. They felt strongly that we need more, home grown, bee-friendly honey.

The Scottish Bee Company is known for promoting locally grown produce and for its environmentally friendly and socially responsible products; fully recyclable packaging that donates a percentage of its profits to its sister charity, Re-Pollinate. The Scottish Bee Company’s Heather Honey has won a Great Taste award and prides itself on having no pesticides or GMO’s in its products.

The Scottish Bee Company’s online shop is now open and is able to ship throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK, northern Europe and the USA within 7 days www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk/shop

For more information about The Scottish Bee Company visit:
www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk and follow on social media:
www.facebook.com/scottishbeecompany
www.instagram.com/scottishbeecompany
https://twitter.com/scottishbeeco

For more information about the new British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark™ for Food Assurance, visit: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/product-certification/kitemark/food-kitemark

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland

Latest Edinburgh News

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Today, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.

READ MORE
Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

This summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Families will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.

READ MORE
The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

This week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.

READ MORE
Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Newtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.

READ MORE
Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.

READ MORE
DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.

READ MORE
Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

A Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.

READ MORE
Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

READ MORE
Fife & Forth Bridge Steam Train Journey Announced

Fife & Forth Bridge Steam Train Journey Announced

Departing on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces  2025 Programme

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Programme

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.

READ MORE
GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

Party at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.

READ MORE
Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Ahead of its programme launch on 2 July, EIFF venues will include Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni and a new pop-up screen at National Galleries Scotland: National.

READ MORE
New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

One of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue.

READ MORE
Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announces the opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh - Haymarket, a 195-room flagship hotel bringing a fresh energy to the city’s West End.

READ MORE
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Pupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird’s thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun.

READ MORE
Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Edinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.

READ MORE
Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions.

READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Link
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Link
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Popular Events

Women & Whisky
Join us for a memorable evening of whisky exploration in the stunning new Scotch Room at Whiski Rooms on Friday 25th July.
Innis & Gunn presents Mànran at The Mound
The powerhouse of Scottish traditional music, Mànran, return to Innis & Gunn at The Mound on 18th July for a full headline set following a surprise appearance last year!
Midge Ure
Acclaimed musician, producer, and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure brings his visionary A Man Of Two Worlds Tour to the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 24th May!
Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind
The unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is back at the Fringe with a 90s party hypnoshow!
Star Struck
Prepare to be transported into a glamorous world where jazz meets ballet, and the stars align when Scottish Ballet bring Starstruck to the Festival Theatre in May!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall