Honey Holding Announces The Expiration of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and Dismissal of Complaint by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
Baytown, Texas (PRWEB) March 24, 2015 -- Honey Holding I, Ltd (Honey Solutions), an industrial honey processor, announced today the expiration of its Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Illinois – Eastern Division. Additionally, the USAO has dismissed the complaint it filed in connection with the DPA.
The complaint against Honey Holding (Case#13CR138: US District Court-No. District of Illinois Eastern Division) resolved by the DPA was related to the purchase of a single container of Polish origin honey back in 2006 which contained honey that had been adulterated with the antibiotic chloramphenicol. This single charge required Honey Holding to pay a fine, continue its extensive cooperation with the Government’s investigation of the honey industry and bolster its origin compliance policies and procedures. This complaint was dismissed with prejudice by the Court. This means that the USAO is forbidden from any further action against Honey Holding on this matter.
Contrary to several factually incorrect reports and allegations, Honey Holding was never indicted or criminally charged with illegally transshipping, smuggling or importing Chinese honey into the U.S. The DPA and the facts provided in that document do not contend, allege or suggest that Honey Holding knowingly sold Chinese origin honey or Chinese honey containing syrup or sugar. Additionally, no former or current Honey Holding owner, officers or employee was indicted or charge for illegal transshipment of honey or defrauding the U.S. of anti-dumping duties.
Ironically, and completely opposite to these false reports and allegations, Honey Holding has provided to the Government significant and extensive assistance to eliminate the importation of fraudulently sourced foreign honey. Beginning in early 2011, Honey Holding allowed an undercover agent to assume a role as a Honey Holding procurement officer. While that stage of its cooperation has ended, Honey Holding continues its active assistance of the Government’s investigation of the US honey industry. When asked about this ongoing active involvement, Honey Holding stated, “American consumers have the right to know where their honey is coming from and that it is food safe. Our involvement in this investigation helps insure that American consumers do know.”
About Honey Holding I. Ltd dba Honey Solutions
Founded in the 1940’s as Hignite Packing Company, Honey Holding (Honey Solutions) is one of the largest processors and marketers of industrial honey in the United States. At our primary facility located on six acres just outside of Houston, Texas, Honey Holding provides approximately 20 million #’s of honey per year coast to coast to America’s premiere bakers and food processors.
Tom Kennedy, Honey Holding I, 713-722-8118, [email protected]
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