Startup Producing Honey Without Bees: MeliBio

MeliBio, a US-based startup, has taken on the mission of making honey that is molecularly identical to the real thing, with the same benefits and flavor, but without any bees involved. Until now, there had been work done on sustainable alternatives for meat and dairy products, and companies had been established and production had begun, but there hadn’t been much focus on honey.

“I’ve been part of the honey industry for 8 years and experienced a process that helped me understand all the challenges, including the large-scale extinctions threatening 20,000 bee species,” says Darko Mandich, co-founder and CEO of MeliBio. He foresaw that failing to enter the sustainable beekeeping sector could seriously harm both bees and humans, and therefore decided to move from Europe to California and join the emerging community working to produce animal products without animals. Before starting to replicate well-known varieties like Manuka honey from New Zealand or Acacia honey from Western Europe, the company initially focused on producing honey that mirrored the same taste, texture, and nutritional qualities as that produced by bees.

Mandich stated that real honey produced without bees will be available in the third quarter of 2021, adding that they are striving to be a leader in the future honey industry, creating a positive impact on the planet and making this superior ingredient accessible to everyone without harming bees.

Sources:

https://www.fooddive.com/news/melibio-makes-honey-without-bees/587359