http://michiganradio.org en http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-company-caught-dumping-chinese-honey-us <p>A Michigan company has been charged in a scheme federal officials have dubbed ‘Honeygate.’</p><p>Michigan-based Groeb Farms is one of the nation’s largest honey suppliers.&nbsp;&nbsp; The company buys honey in 42 states and around the world.</p><p>Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say Groeb Farms and another honey supplier were involved in a scheme to dump Chinese honey in the United States.&nbsp;</p><p>Federal officials say the Chinese honey was declared as other commodities and shipped through third countries. The defendants in the investigation dubbed "Project Honeygate" are accused of evading anti-dumping duties totaling more than $180 million.</p><p>Groeb Farms has agreed to pay a $2 million fine.&nbsp;</p><p>“We take full responsibility for and deeply regret any errors that were made in the past regarding the import of honey,” said Groeb Farms CEO Rolf Richter in a written statement.&nbsp;</p><p>Some of the honey contained antibiotics not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in honey.&nbsp;&nbsp; None of the charges allege any instances of illness or other public health consequences attributed to consumption of the honey.</p><p>The investigation is continuing. Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:53:25 +0000 Steve Carmody 11328 at http://michiganradio.org Michigan company caught 'dumping' Chinese honey in the U.S.