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The results of the EC 2021-2022 honey sampling and analysis co-ordinated action, following the  From the Hives report, were concerning.  This 2023 report concluded that all 10 of the sampled honeys imported from the UK were “suspicious”. 

This finding prompted further investigation by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Defra have now published an independent expert review into the analytical methods used in the survey.  There is a lot of technical content in the review.  It re-emphasises that no single honey authenticity test is likely to be definitive, and that a weight of evidence approach should be used with some tests being weighted higher than others.  When the total weight of evidence is not strong then phrasing such as “warrants further investigation” would be a fairer conclusion than “suspicious”.

One specific learning from the review is that laboratories must take care with the selection of authenticity markers, depending on the analytical question being asked.  The example given is oligosaccharides.  Some of these markers are known to vary between honey that has had moisture mechanically removed compared to honey that has not.  Moisture removal may be a production necessity (in humid climates where honey will not evaporate naturally) or a commercial choice to speed the harvest cycle (as is commonly used in China).  Moisture-removed honey is common within UK blends of Chinese origin honeys  but is not permitted in some EU countries.  Thus a test based on oligosaccharide markers could differentiate UK honey from EU for reasons that are already understood.  It might not provide any new insight, for example, on sugar or syrup adulteration.

Photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is running a campaign to recruit three new members to the Food Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG). 

Applications are welcomed from any candidate who has the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role and who meets the essential criteria. More information about the role can be found in the Candidate Pack. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 15^th November 2024.

Information about the vacancies is given below: 

 The AMWG is a non-statutory expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The Committee provides expert advice on research carried out under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme and is accountable to the Agri-Food Science Team within Defra’s Agri-Food Chain Directorate.  

The Chairs of expert committees meet annually with Defra’s Chief Scientific Advisor; and provide an annual summary of the work of the Committee to the Science Advisory Council (SAC) for Defra's Annual Report.     

Defra wants to attract high-calibre and forward-thinking applicants from diverse backgrounds to its expert committees. Applicants will need to demonstrate they are able to carry out a full range of non-executive responsibilities and have relevant skills, knowledge and expertise. Defra is seeking to appoint up to three new members to AMWG to cover the broad range of expertise required.  

Applications will be assessed against the following general essential criteria: 

• Experience in dealing with complex technical authenticity challenges, recognised expertise in food analysis and an understanding of fitness for purpose requirements and validation concepts for authenticity methods. 
• Demonstrable collaborative working and a willingness to enhance the UKs standing in the field of authenticity testing as well as the ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive relationships both within and outside the Committee.  
• Ability to think analytically and creatively and to contribute effectively to the formulation of sound scientific-based advice and decisions.   
• Ability to express views cogently and clearly, to represent views to the Committee and the Committee’s views to Government and other stakeholders.  

In addition to the above general food authenticity expertise and skills, we are seeking new members who have a good understanding or experience of at least one of the following:  

• Physical and chemical methods in particular spectroscopic and screening methods   
• Food Industry experience, supply chain assurance and traceability  
• AI/digital technology  
• Molecular Biology and Genetic technologies   
• A qualified Public Analyst with experience of Food analysis in a legal setting.    

 If you have any queries by email AMWGSecretariat@defra.gov.uk.  

Foreword by the Government Chemist

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a powerful tool for rapidly and cost-effectively identifying and characterising plant, animal and microbial species present in mixed food samples.

The application of NGS to food authenticity, adulteration and safety testing is a constantly evolving field with its own unique set of challenges that need to be explored. Further work needs to be conducted to better understand the performance characteristics and establish relevant performance criteria and metrics, to enable results generated in different laboratories to be compared and interpreted with equal confidence.

Following concerns raised from food industry members on the use of NGS for the quantitative determination of food ingredients, the Government Chemist engaged with Defra’s Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG) [1] and its Technical Sub-Group (AMWG-TSG), resulting in the AMWG producing a view [2] on the use of NGS for food authenticity testing [3].

Download Defra’s Authenticity Methodology Working Group’s view on the use of Next Generation Sequencing for food authenticity testing

[1] An independent expert group that provides scientific and technical advice to support Defra’s food authenticity programme.

[2] The views/opinions expressed by AMWG were correct at the time of the note (November 2020).

[3] Government Chemist representatives: Selvarani Elahi, Deputy Government Chemist, is the Chair of AMWG and Dr Malcolm Burns, Head of GMO unit, Principal Scientist and Special Advisor to the Government Chemist, is a Member of AMWG; they both participated in the AMWG-TSG meeting on NGS and subsequent discussions, inputting into the AMWG view on NGS.