Honey authenticity testing and adulteration detection

Honey is considered to be one of the foods most at risk of fraud through sugar adulteration or false claims. Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories provide advanced testing methods to support you in detecting exogenous sugars, verify botanical and geographical origin, and support compliance with labelling and quality standards.

Applications of honey authenticity testing

  • Detect exogenous sugars from e.g. cane, corn, beet, wheat, rice, etc.
  • Confirm declared botanical (single-flower honeys) and geographical origin 
  • Identify dilution or blending with lower-value honeys
  • Detect various irregularities such as excessive heat treatment (determination of 5-HMF) or fermentation
  • Support compliance with EU honey marketing and labelling standards
  • Help monitor supply chains to reduce fraud risks

Honey authenticity testing using isotope and profiling methods

Samples are analysed to build a detailed chemical and isotopic profile, which is compared to reference datasets of authentic honeys from around the world. This allows us to detect deviations from expected patterns and assess whether the honey is consistent with its declared origin and composition.

NMR profiling enables rapid screening for a wide range of quality and authenticity markers, while isotope analysis and LC-HRMS provides highly specific data on the source of sugars present. Together, these methods provide a powerful toolset for authenticity verification.

Why choose Eurofins Food & Feed Testing?

  • Comprehensive analysis: combines advanced techniques for broad detection
  • High specificity: identifies subtle differences between authentic and adulterated samples
  • Regulatory alignment: methods are developed to reflect current standards and industry best practice
  • Versatility: suitable for all kinds of honey from flowers and honeydew, mono or poly-floral
  • Proactive risk management: supports brand protection and supply chain integrity

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, access our competence centre services, or do you need tailored analytical or consultancy support?

Contact Eurofins Food Testing UK today to speak to our experts by submitting an enquiry form or calling +44 (0) 845 604 6740.

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