Bees and honey as tools to improve public engagement in science

The food industry and new related technologies raise questions regarding our health. We ask ourselves questions such as what the ingredi- ents of a particular food are, how many calories it contains, and whether or not it will damage our bodies. Rarely, however, do we ask ourselves if the health of our planet is threatened. This is due to the fact that understanding the food chain and its impact on the environment is difficult and requires that the citizen/consumer take an active interest, gather information, and be involved. Food is a real “epistemic object,” as it contains an extraordinary wealth of meanings, functions, and cultural values, and represents a true plu- rality of world views.