Out of 25 honey samples tested according to the new accredited method for identifying food and drink counterfeits, 22 did not pass the authenticity tests.
In as many as 88 percent of the samples, it was determined that some kind of sugar was added to the honey in different percentages.
The method used to these samples is called EIM-IRMS and has been developed by food technology engineer Ivan Smajlović. The initiator of the first such market investigation is the United for Quality Cluster, in cooperation with the Consumer Movement for Food Quality, in an effort to eliminate counterfeit honey on the domestic market.
However, as the Cluster says, this is only the beginning, because with this accredited method it is possible to determine counterfeits in other product categories as well. The method is currently used to test wine and brandy in Serbia too.
Serbia is the first country in the world to have a specialized accredited laboratory that uses the accredited EIM-IRMS methodology which is also recognized by the International Wine Organization and is incorporated into domestic regulation as a method for testing wine quality.
The Consumer Movement for Food Quality launched the first market investigation on September 11, when 25 different samples of honey were taken from seven stores of large retail chains. They sampled the honey sold in retail chains Aman, DIS, Gomex, Idea, Lidl, Maxi and Mere Markets”. The testing was carried out at the accredited laboratory Food Testing Centre from Belgrade.
Two units of each product (with the same LOT numbers, same filling dates and times) were sampled, with one unit sampled for analysis and the other unit left for potential superanalysis. The honey samples were tested for authenticity (botanical origin of sugar).
The test results showed that as many as 22 honey samples failed the authenticity test, which is 88% of the total number of tested honey samples (25). All laboratory reports will be forwarded to the relevant authorities so they can take further steps in line with the current regulation.
(Biznis i Finansije, 25.09.2023)
https://bif.rs/2023/09/od-25-uzoraka-meda-22-nisu-prosla-testove-autenticnosti/
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