The Global Honey Organisation (GHO) has issued an urgent alert regarding the discovery of previously unreported unauthorised chemical substances designed to fraudulently alter honey quality parameters within the European Union.
These so-called ‘enhancers’ – including ‘diastase’, ‘HMF’, ‘proline’ and ‘Electrical Conductivity’ – represent a new and immediate threat, necessitating swift action to protect the integrity of the honey sector.
1. Background
The Global Honey Organisation (GHO) is taking a firm stand against fraudulent practices in the honey supply-chain, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the integrity, transparency, and quality of honey production worldwide.
Recent developments have highlighted the emergence of unauthorised products, in the EU, designed to alter key quality parameters of honey, posing a significant threat to consumer trust, quality standards, and public health.
2. The alert: unauthorised honey modification products in the EU
GHO has identified a concerning trend involving the marketing in the European Union of unauthorised substances that claim to modify critical honey quality indicators, such as enzymes content, colour, Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels, proline content, and electrical conductivity.
These products, sold under appealing names, are being promoted as solutions to ‘enhance’ honey characteristics, but their use constitutes a new form of fraud within the European Union and beyond. Examples of these unauthorised products include reference to:
- enzymes, marketed as a ‘honey diastase’, that allegedly pass ‘standard enzyme tests’;
- HMF, claiming ‘to reduce HMF levels’, even under heat treatment;
- proline purports to ‘increase proline content’ artificially;
- electrical conductivity aims to alter electrical conductivity to misclassify honey types.
These products not only undermine the authenticity of honey but may also pose potential safety risks, as their chemical compositions remain unknown and unregulated.
3. GHO’s response: vigilance and collective action
In response to this growing threat, GHO has issued an urgent alert to its members, urging them to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard their supply chains. Key actions include:
- educating stakeholders. GHO members are encouraged to warn professional beekeepers, intermediaries, and suppliers about the risks associated with these unauthorised products;
- reporting suspicious activities. Members are advised to report any offers or use of such substances to both GHO and competent national authorities;
- strengthening monitoring systems. GHO is enhancing its fraud detection network and monitoring tools to identify and address emerging threats promptly.
4. The broader impact on the EU honey sector
The use of these unauthorised products represents a direct challenge to the regulatory frameworks governing honey production in the EU, such as the Codex Alimentarius standard and the EU Honey Directive. These frameworks are designed to ensure that honey sold to consumers is pure, unadulterated, and safe for consumption.
Fraudulent practices not only jeopardise consumer protection but also erode trust in the honey sector, disadvantaging honest producers and undermining the reputation of high-quality honey. GHO emphasises that the fight against fraud requires collective action from all stakeholders, including beekeepers, processors, regulators, and consumers.
5. GHO’s commitment to transparency and quality
GHO remains steadfast in its mission to promote fair trade practices and protect the integrity of the honey sector. The organisation is actively collaborating with regulatory bodies, research institutions, laboratories and industry partners to:
- develop advanced tools for improving traceability and detecting food fraud;
- raise awareness about the risks of unauthorised honey modification products;
- advocate for stricter enforcement of existing regulations and the introduction of new measures to combat fraud.
6. Call to action: join the fight against honey fraud
GHO calls on all industry stakeholders to join its efforts in combating honey fraud. By working together, we can ensure that honey remains a natural, pure, and trustworthy product for consumers worldwide.
If you encounter any suspicious products or practices, please report them immediately to GHO and your local authorities. Together, we can protect the future of the honey industry and uphold the values of transparency, quality, and fairness.
For more information on GHO’s initiatives and its Code of Conduct, visit https://www.globalhoney.org/about/.
Dario Dongo
