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Testing for honey authenticity often requires a panel of different analytical approaches, none of which is conclusive but each giving an increasing degree of suspicion.  Some of these approaches involve high cost specialist equipment and bespoke reference databases.

In this paper (purchase required) the authors propose a panel of three tests using relatively cheap and accessible equipment.  They developed a new high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the precise quantification of HMF, and coupled this with analysis of glucose, fructose, saccharose, and maltose using a HPLC with refractive index detection (HPLC-RI) plus diastase activity (DA) using the established Schade method.

They applied their approach to 65 commercial Spanish honey samples, reporting significant compliance with EU regulatory standards, yet also uncovering some suspicions of adulteration.

Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash

On 11 August, the environmental protection service of the Spanish civil guard SEPRONA announced the seizure of 45 tons of illegally treated tuna fish. Four people were investigated and face possible criminal penalties of up to four years in prison for endangering public health, as well as administrative sanctions. The investigation has so far uncovered three companies and three fishing vessels involved in the fraudulent scheme.

Investigators found that frozen tuna only suitable for canning had been illegally treated with substances that enhance the colour and then been diverted to the market to be sold as fresh fish. This treatment can pose a serious public health risk associated with allergic reactions to histamine.

The investigation was coordinated by EUROPOL under the OPSON VII operation, in collaboration with the European Commission and other Member States, which was previously reported on the Food Authenticity Network in May 2018.

Criminal investigations are ongoing.

For more information on this case including the European Commission's contribution and information on other successful outcomes for EU coordinated cases.