Earlier this month, 10 out of 13 honey brands failed the ‘purity test’ based on CSE’s investigation
The scientific panel of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has pointed out that almost no food regulator in the world has so far mandated Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) as a test method for honey.
Earlier this month, 10 out of 13 honey brands failed the ‘purity test’ based on CSE’s investigation. Most of the brands failed when subjected to one particular test, called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR, which can discover a product’s composition at the molecular level) that was done at a lab in Germany.
Looking at CSE’s investigation on adulteration in honey, the FSSAI questioned as to why some tests like SMR have not been conducted on the samples spiked with adulterants by CSE. FSSAI has requested for details of the tests and the samples conducted from CSE.
As soon as details become available, the protocols followed will be assessed by FSSAI and any improvements that are required in the test methodology will be suggested for future.
Regarding the desirability and utility of NMR for honey testing, it needs to be clarified that NMR allows quick, but database-driven quantification and detection of various chemical compounds, especially for authenticating the honey sample’s origin. For effective utilisation of this technique, the prior existence of a database is a necessity. No such database exists at the moment for Indian honey and hence, NMR testing will have limited utility.
Moreover, the cost of conducting NMR tests is quite high and the volumes available as of now would not be enough to motivate labs for investing in this exclusive equipment. In view of lack of database, high operating cost, high skill requirement, and high capital investment; the scientific panel suggested that NMR is not necessary at this juncture.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of Equinox Labs, shared his thoughts on the matter, “A lot of variables must be taken into account before considering the inclusion or exclusion of any test, for any food product.”
Bhadri continues, “We have the utmost confidence in FSSAI’s decision-making process. If the FSSAI deems this NMR test for honey mandatory, we must comply.”