Commentary for Avodah Zarah 78:16
והדבש: דבש למאי ניחוש לה אי משום איערובי מיסרא סרי אי משום בישולי עובדי כוכבים נאכל כמו שהוא חי אי משום גיעולי עובדי כוכבים נותן טעם לפגם הוא ומותר:
Honey. Honey, what should he be concerned about? If because of the possibility that something [forbidden] may have been mixed with it, this would cause it to go rancid! If it is on account of [the prohibition against] all things cooked by a non-Jew, it is something which is eaten in its raw state! If on account of the rule that vessels used by non-Jews must be scoured [before they may be used] by a Jew, it is an instance where a worsening flavour is imparted and it is therefore permitted.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Honey bought from a non-Jew is permitted. The Talmud lists three problems that we might have been concerned about, but are, in the end, not. The first is that there is something really not kosher in it (like pig fat). But this would be bad for the honey and cause it to go rancid. The second is that it was cooked by a non-Jew. But this prohibition does not apply to honey since honey can be eaten raw. Third is the possibility that the non-Jew cooked it in his own vessels, which had been used with forbidden food. But this is not prohibited because the taste from the non-Jew’s vessel is considered “a worsening flavor” and in such cases the substance is permitted. Thus there is no reason to be concerned about honey bought from a non-Jew.
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