Popular ice cream flavors such as Rocky Road and Cherry Vanilla may be in danger thanks to the mysterious disappearance of honeybees.

That has led to a major ice cream brand’s first journey to Capitol Hill in order to protect its sweet treats.
Häagen-Dazs’s flavors are heavily dependent on all-natural ingredients that can only be produced from bee pollination. Overall, 30 of the popular brand’s 73 ice creams, frozen yogurts and sorbets use such ingredients.

Therefore, the ice cream producer is sending its executives to Washington Thursday to testify before a House Agriculture subcommittee, calling for more funds into research for the mysterious bee vanishing, otherwise known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In addition, Häagen-Dazs, partnered with lip balm maker Burt’s Bees , is hosting an ice cream social Wednesday for congressional aides in the Longworth House Office Building.

“It is an issue that is far broader than Häagen-Dazs as an ice cream brand. It is an issue we all should care about because it affects what we eat,” said Katty Pien, brand director for the ice cream company.
Pien has a point: About a third of the nation’s food, such as fruits, nuts and vegetables, are produced by bee pollination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The honeybee trade is valued at about $15 billion annually.

Losses in honeybees are not uncommon, but bees failing to return to the hive and the rapid depletion of their colonies, credited to CCD, have worried beekeepers.

Overall, there is an estimated 35 percent decline in bee colonies for 2008 thus far. Plus, the price of honey has trended upwards since 1998 and was more than a dollar per pound in 2007, according to USDA.

The downturn in the bee population could affect consumers outside of the honey trade. That possibility has prodded Häagen-Dazs into action.

The potential this has on our business would be devastating, so we are trying to be proactive,” said Pien. “We are trying to actively ward off any problems that are coming down the pike.”

Pien said the company would not consider switching to alternatives because it was founded on using all-natural ingredients.

“We are absolutely committed to that. That is part of our DNA,” she said.

The cause of CCD is not known, though researchers have offered a number of theories, from parasites to chemical contamination, as factors. Even the stress of traveling as hives are shipped across the country may cause the disorder. Beekeepers in 35 states have been affected.

Mark Brady, president of the American Honey Producers Association , believes CCD may come from a new strain of disease.

“Once the bees are infected with it, it just shortens their lifespan. Where there once [were] these big, strong colonies, it’s just not the case anymore,” said Brady, himself a beekeeper who operates about 8,000 colonies in Texas, California and Nebraska.

Brady has seen neighbors’ farms hurt by the bees’ disappearance, with some going out of business.

“Some guys have thrown their hands up and said the heck with it. The economics are just not there,” he said.

Consequently, Brady’s trade association, Häagen-Dazs and others have called upon Congress to act. And lawmakers have been responsive.

Several hearings have been held in both the House and Senate since last year. Thursday’s meeting will be the second one chaired by Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) that will focus solely on the bees’ disappearance.

Legislation has also passed Congress. Measures were introduced by Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) in 2007.

Language from those bills was added to this year’s Farm Bill. One provision would authorize $100 million over five years for research into CCD. Another would encourage farmers to plant flowering plants, such as alfalfa and clover — thus increasing the habitat for pollinating honeybees — by offering incentives under the legislation’s conservation program.  

Law firm Winston & Strawn , representing the Honey Producers, lobbied for those provisions. The firm took in $500,000 from the trade group last year.

Häagen-Dazs has also done its part. The ice cream company has already contributed $150,000 to Penn State University and another $100,000 to UC Davis for CCD research. The company plans to issue more research grants in the future.

In addition, all flavors that could be affected by the honeybee disappearance are being labeled with a new logo to promote awareness of the problem. Häagen-Dazs has also developed a new flavor, Vanilla Honeybee, to advocate for the cause.

Burt’s Bees is helping with the awareness campaign as well. Last year, it released a public service announcement on the issue and handed out 50,000 seed packets for flowering plants for free through the company’s website.

Like Häagen-Dazs, much is at stake for Burt’s Bees. Its co-founder, Burt Shavitz, was a beekeeper and many of the company’s products are derived from honey.

Burt’s Bees president and chief executive John Replogle will join Pien as a witness at the hearing Thursday.

Executives with both companies believe this is the first time their representatives will be testifying before Congress.  

“It is part of how we are founded … we have to protect and provide for the resources for all of our planet,” said Mariah Kulp, manager of public relations and promotions for Burt’s Bees. “With the current threat to the honeybees, those resources are also threatened.”