Rotten Season 1 Episode 1 Lawyers, Guns and Honey

In the first episode of the investigative documentary series, Rotten, titled "Lawyers, Guns and Honey," viewers are taken on a journey into the murky and often corrupt world of the honey industry.

The episode begins by introducing us to the vibrant and vital world of honeybees and their honey-making process. We learn about the incredible importance of bees in pollinating crops and producing honey, a natural sweetener, as well as other products.

However, as the episode progresses, we begin to see a darker side to the honey industry. We are shown how honey is collected and processed, and how it is often adulterated with cheap substitutes such as corn syrup. While this might seem like a small-scale problem, the reality is that honey is a multi-billion-dollar global industry and the fraudsters who are diluting honey are getting rich while deceiving consumers.

The documentary then takes us to the heart of the issue, focusing on the widespread and blatant counterfeiting of honey in China, the world's largest exporter of honey. We learn about the corrupt practices, including the use of illegal antibiotics in beekeeping, and the dangerous impact this has on both workers and consumers.

We also hear from beekeepers in the United States who are struggling to compete with the cheaper, fake Chinese honey flooding the market. They describe the challenges of maintaining their hives, the increased risk of disease, and the financial pressures on their businesses.

Throughout the episode, we also meet a range of experts, from honey industry insiders to activists, who are working to expose this fraudulent practice and to protect consumers. They describe the various methods used to detect fake honey, such as the Cold Water Test and pollen analysis, and explain the importance of transparency and traceability in the supply chain.

The episode concludes with a call to action for consumers. We are encouraged to be vigilant when buying honey and to support local beekeepers and ethical producers. As one expert notes, "When something is too good to be true, it usually is."

Overall, "Lawyers, Guns and Honey" is a thought-provoking and eye-opening look into the complex world of the honey industry. It raises important questions about the integrity of our food supply and challenges viewers to take a closer look at what they are eating and where it comes from.