The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have recently produced “authentic” and “inauthentic” honey reference materials. These materials will shortly be available within laboratory proficiency testing (PT) schemes. Analysis of reference materials (where a laboratory’s result can be compared to a traceable known value) and participation in PT schemes (where laboratories compare their own results to those of their peers testing the same sample) are critical aspects of the Quality Assurance system of any testing laboratory, and are mandatory where testing is accredited to ISO 17025.
Participants in LGC AXIO’s Food Chemistry proficiency test for honey parameters will have the option to take part in an additional exercise in the June 2026 round. This add‑on focuses on the analysis of honey authenticity. Alongside the standard honey sample, laboratories may choose to analyse two extra honey samples supplied by the JRC. These materials are intended to support the interpretative assessment of sugars commonly used as authenticity markers.
The two supplementary honey test materials are intended for:
- Sucrose analysis
- Fructose analysis
- Glucose analysis
Participants will also be asked to provide an authenticity assessment for each sample, including whether it meets the laboratory’s own criteria and the basis for that judgement.
Laboratories that would like to receive the additional honey samples should contact axiopt@LGCGroup.com
LGC AXIO are a partner of FAN and we continue to be grateful for their support alongside all our partners.
Photo by With Mahdy on Unsplash
