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Honey in retails: Half is adulterated

08/29/2013
 
The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out an extraordinary inspection focused on adulterated honey. Out of 25 samples taken, 12 samples were assessed as unsatisfactory. At all unsatisfactory samples, the laboratory analysis showed parameters regarded as evidence of adulteration – intentional adding of less valuable components into honey, whereas this modification of the content was carried out at the expense of consumers. The vast majority of samples were taken in retail chains with significant position on the Czech market.
Laboratory analysis showed unsatisfactory values in following monitored parameters:
  • delta dC13 max (adding of sugars untypical for honey – e.g. sirups),
  • caramel E150d (adding of colourings by which light honey or colourless sugar solutions are coloured),
  • content of oligosacharides (adding of sugars untypical for honey – e.g. sirups),
  • unsatisfactory activity of diastase enzyme,
  • presence of hydroxymethylfurfural exceeding the limit (violation of quality caused by inconvenient processing).

Honey is a natural product at which adding of any substances, apart from another kind of honey, is forbidden.
As regards the number of non-complying samples at single producers, CAFIA detections are as follows: As regards producer JSG med a. s., the analysis showed violation of legislation at 9 samples of honey, 2 unsatisfactory samples were detected at products identified by the distributor – Grocery CR s.r.o., and further one sample of producer Alnatura GmbH failed to comply with requirements. CAFIA banned putting the unsatisfactory lots into circulation and administrative procedure will be initiated with the sellers.
Unsatisfactory detections from previous inspections and frequent suggestions addressed to CAFIA related to suspicion of honey adulteration were the reasons for the extraordinary inspection. In 2012, almost 50% of honey sampled by CAFIA in retail network failed to comply with the requirements of the Decree.

Author: Martin Štoll

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