It is true that Hydroxymethylfurfural is not good for bees. But how bad is it? Is using heat to make sugar syrup wrong?

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question

Heating sugar causes HMF. I think HMF begins at 113℉. My hot water comes out of the tap at about 135℉. This is what I use to make 1:1 and 2:1. I make Fondant (confectionary fondant to feed my bees) by heating water, glucose syrup, and granulated sugar to 236℉ (softball stage). Same for Candy Boards. Should I not be doing this? Am I harming My bees? Maybe not just outright killing them, but possibly weakening them or harming brood? Should I be using cold water for 1:1 and 2:1 and using an enzyme to make fondant? Hoping someone can share some scientific knowledge on this for me.

To keep the mods happy: Beekeeper 6 Years. I have <50 colonies, United States: Zone 4 - SE Ohio; Appalachian Foot Hills. And Im a Boomer that loves my wife, bees and Mezcal (sometimes not in that order).

Posted Mar 6, 2025, 5:11 PM UTC

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