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French version |
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Special
Edition - Honey Adulteration
An emerging global fraud - China stands accused -
The complete report
PART N°4
This work was done, free of charge, by one of our members and not by a translation service. So, if it is not absolutely perfect, please be indulgent. You can always consult the original French document if something is not completely clear.
This experiment is undertaken by chance, totally anecdotal, and to give an element of comparison.
As it is based on a too small quantity of samples to be representative and on private purchases without any legal value, we have not wished to incur pointless costs. Due to simple curiosity on the part of the laboratories , the CNEVA and DGCCRF in the role of a private laboratory agreed to do the examination for free. We thank them warmly.
N° |
Conditioned in |
Label |
Laboratory controlling only the designation |
Method AOAC |
DGCCRF Controlling adulteration by microscopic examination |
CNEVA Research of adulteration and miscellaneous |
1 |
Germany (purchased in Italy) |
Blend of Hungarian, Rumanian and Chinese Acacia | Not sent | Conform | Presence of numerous hairs and the remains of fibres testifying to a dilution | Blend of imported Acacia Honey. The microscopic analysis reveals the presence of plant elements leading to the supposition of an adulteration using Cane sugar. Non conform |
2 |
Germany | Pine Tannenhonig |
Blend of Honeydews from several countries
especially Greece and Turkey Does not merit the designation of Pine Honey |
Conform | Presence of crystalline cell remains and starch grains testifying to a dilution. | Honeydew from several countries. Presence of plant elements leading to the supposition of an adulteration using Cane sugar. Non conform |
3 |
Germany | Pine and Forest | Honeydews from diverse origins( Pine, Eucalyptus and Chestnut) Greece, Turkey, W. Europe and South America. | Conform | Presence of spiral and simple annular vessels of Parentchyma cells. The collection testifying to a dilution | Honeydews and Nectars from several countries.
Presence of plant elements leading to the supposition of an adulteration using Cane sugar. Non conform |
4 |
England | Pure Honey Blend from more than one country .Not suitable for infants under 12 months |
Not sent | Conform | Absence of pollen grains, presence of numerous crystals and grains of starch testifying to a dilution. | Absence of pollen grains, ultra filtered
Honey. Particular plant elements in evidence. Presence of exogenic sugars suspected. Non conform |
5 |
England | Pure Honey Blend from more than one country .Not suitable for infants under 12 months |
Not sent | Conform | Very few pollen grains, presence of diatoms
testifying to a filtration having taken place. A few Scelerous cell remains testifying to a dilution |
HMF limit superior to that allowed . Absence
of pollen grains, ultra filtered honey. Particular plant elements in evidence. Presence of
exogenic sugars suspected. Non conform |
1. we have known for a long time that in Germany, under the designation Pine honey, other than in the best cases one no longer finds anything but Honeydew from deciduous trees. Taking into account that, on the wholesale market, the price may vary up to 100%, the producers now know why their Pine honey is practically impossible to sell at a normal price.
2. In England, the conditioners practice ultra filtration. We shall pass over this. Polite words are lacking with which to stigmatise this, it is so scandalous.
3. Leaving aside the non-conformities due to HMF or to ultra filtration, all the honeys
· are conform after analyse for 13C in honey sugar and proteins according to the AOAC method
· but non conform when microscopically examined (method Kerkvliet).
It however appears to verify the most dramatic hypothesis : the North European conditioners aware of the quality of the honey that they are using and conscious of the limits of the AOAC method in detecting the presence of exogenic sugars, proceed to blend the lots (tested beforehand) ensuring that they remain below the threshold of detection allowing for a conclusion of certain adulteration .
4. The microscopic examination developed by Kerkvliet et Al is not well known. It is not therefore included in the schedule of the North European conditioners. It is probably due to this reason that our two laboratories, using a still experimental method, were able to expose the fraud.
5. In the 3rd enquiry, as for the 2nd the range of samples is too small. Our budget does not allow us to go any further. In any case, it is for the official services and the consumer associations to carry on with the work.
| Total Import | 1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
||||
| In tonnes | 5998 | 8609 | 11575 | 12563 | ||||
An aide memoir
for the prices for honey coming from China: |
||||||||
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
|
| Average price FF/kg before Customs clearance |
7.99 |
8.34 |
7.96 |
6.60 |
5.45 |
5.99 |
7.60 |
9.10 |
Syndicat des Producteurs de Miel de France
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