A Strange Discovery
In 2012, beekeepers in Ribeauvillé, a small town in northeastern France, noticed something unusual. Their bees were producing honey in shades of blue and green. Concerned and confused, they began investigating the cause of the strange colors.
Tracing the Source
The beekeepers traced the mystery back to a biogas plant about four kilometers away. The facility processed waste from a Mars chocolate factory, including residue from M&M’s candy shells. Bees had been feeding on the sugary waste, carrying the artificial coloring back to their hives.
Impact on Honey Production
The colorful honey was unsellable since it did not meet French food standards. Local beekeepers had to discard large amounts of their harvest. Authorities ordered the plant to clean up the waste and store it in sealed containers to prevent further contamination.
A Return to Normal
Once the waste was secured, the bees resumed producing normal honey.
In 2012, beekeepers in Ribeauvillé, a small town in northeastern France, noticed something unusual. Their bees were producing honey in shades of blue and green. Concerned and confused, they began investigating the cause of the strange colors.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/CxIJ58B3JL
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 20, 2025