A Systematic Review on Silent Pollution: Pesticides and Antibiotics in Bee Products and their Health Implications

Bee products such as honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly are highly regarded for their nutritional, medicinal, and economic significance; however, they are increasingly impacted by “silent pollution” resulting from pesticide and veterinary antibiotic residues. Although many studies have documented individual contaminants within specific matrices, a comprehensive understanding of their simultaneous occurrence, transfer mechanisms, persistence, and implications for human and ecosystem health remains incomplete. This review offers a thorough and current synthesis of pesticide and antibiotic contamination in various bee products, with specific focus on matrix-specific accumulation, bioavailability, and long-term persistence within colonies. In contrast to prior evaluations, this study rigorously synthesizes global residue data with analytical techniques, sampling methodologies, regulatory standards, and exposure pathways to underscore systemic deficiencies in monitoring and risk evaluation. The review additionally assesses the cumulative and synergistic impacts of chemical mixtures, correlating residue profiles with risks to consumer health, pollinator well-being, and ecosystem stability. By presenting bee products as both essential food commodities and bioindicators of environmental contamination, this review emphasizes the critical importance of establishing standardized monitoring programs, enhancing regulatory supervision, and implementing effective residue mitigation strategies. These insights offer a new framework to promote safer apicultural practices and inform evidence-based policy formulation.