Overview

Amazon has added “mad honey” to its prohibited‑item roster, banning any listing that contains the toxin‑laden product. The restriction took effect immediately and applies to every variation of the honey, regardless of branding. Sellers must remove existing listings and prevent future uploads to avoid policy violations and possible account actions.

Key Points

• Complete prohibition — No version of mad honey may be offered on Amazon, and there are no conditional allowances for limited quantities or specific markets.
• All naming conventions covered — Whether the product is labeled “mad honey,” “deli bal,” “grayanotoxin honey,” or any other synonym, Amazon treats it as a banned item.
• Toxin source is grayanotoxin — The honey’s danger stems from grayanotoxins transferred from rhododendron or azalea nectar, which can trigger severe poisoning in consumers.
• Enforcement can be swift — Amazon may delete the listing, issue a warning, or suspend the seller’s account if the product is found in violation of the safety policy.
• Due‑diligence required for related honey — Sellers of regular honey must verify that their inventory is free from grayanotoxin contamination, especially when sourcing from regions known for the toxin.
• Policy is part of a broader safety framework — The ban aligns with Amazon’s extensive list of restricted items designed to protect shoppers from hazardous goods.

How the Ban Works

1. Policy identification — Amazon’s product‑safety team flags any SKU that mentions mad honey, deli bal, or related terms during the listing review. Example: A seller attempts to create a “Turkish Deli Bal” listing; the system automatically blocks the draft.
2. Automated detection — The platform’s algorithms scan titles, bullet points, and product descriptions for prohibited keywords and for any reference to grayanotoxin. Example: A product description that reads “contains natural rhododendron honey” triggers an immediate removal.