Honey Testing
Authenticity, sugar-profile, HMF, antibiotic, C4-sugar and microbiological testing of honey to FSSAI / Codex.
About Honey Testing
Honey is among the most sophisticated adulteration targets in the food trade, with rice and corn syrups engineered specifically to defeat older detection methods. CVR Labs tests raw, processed and branded honey for moisture, HMF, diastase, sugar profile, proline and the C4/C3 sugar and foreign-syrup markers that distinguish genuine honey from a sweetened imitation.
We add antibiotic-residue screening (a key export requirement), pesticide and heavy-metal checks, and microbiology, with reporting against FSSAI and Codex honey standards. For exporters facing SMR and isotope-based scrutiny abroad, this panel provides the authenticity and safety evidence buyers now demand of Indian honey.
Signature tests under Honey Testing
The checks clients most often ask for with this service — we build the right sub-panel around your product and standard.
What we analyse under Honey Testing
The parameter groups below are drawn from this service's own accredited scope; the full searchable list follows.
Syrup adulteration is engineered
Modern rice and corn syrups are designed to pass basic tests; C4-sugar, foreign-oligosaccharide and marker analysis is needed to expose them.
HMF reveals heat and age
High HMF indicates overheating or prolonged storage and downgrades honey quality — a core FSSAI and Codex parameter.
Antibiotics block honey exports
Residues of banned antibiotics are a frequent reason for rejection of honey consignments; targeted screening protects the shipment.
Authenticity & sugar profile
Quality & physico-chemical
Heavy & trace metals
Nutritional & proximate
Honey Testing — parameters & methods
| Parameter / Test | Method / Standard |
|---|---|
| Fat | IS 12758IS 9037IS 12451 |
| Protein | IS 7219FSSAI manual of methods of analysis of foods (Cereal and cereal products) FSSAI 03.017:2023FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Dairy and dairy products) FSSAI 01.026:2022 |
| Acidity as formic acid | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.007:2024 |
| Electrical conductivity | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.014:2024 |
| Fiehe's test | IS 4941 |
| Free acidity | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.008:2024 |
| Fructose : Glucose ratio | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.004:2024 |
| Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) | AOAC 22nd edition 980.23 |
| Moisture | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Fruits & Vegetable Products) 4.1FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Oils and fats), FSSAI 02.001:2021FSSAI manual of methods of analysis of foods (Cereal and cereal products) FSSAI 03.006:2023 |
| Specific gravity at 27°C | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.001:2024 |
| Sucrose | IS 15279IS 4079FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.004:2024 |
| Total ash | IS 13846IS 6287IS 4684 |
| Total reducing sugar | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.004:2024 |
| Water insoluble matter | FSSAI Manual of Methods of Analysis of foods (Honey & other beehive products) 04B.011:2024IS 7224 |
| Arsenic as As | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Cadmium as Cd | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Copper as Cu | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Copper Hydroxide (Copper determined as elemental Copper) | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004 |
| Copper Oxychloride (Copper determined as elemental Copper) | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004 |
| Copper Sulphate (Copper determined as elemental Copper) | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004 |
| Cuprous Oxide (Copper determined as elemental Copper) | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004 |
| Lead as Pb | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Mercury as Hg | AOAC 22nd Edition : 2015.01EPA 200.8EPA 29 |
| Nickel as Ni | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Tin as Sn | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Zinc as Zn | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65) |
How Honey Testing is tested
Reference methods applied
Where more than one standard applies, the appropriate method is selected for each sample and regulatory requirement. Validated in-house CVR SOPs on GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS are part of the accredited scope.
Accreditations covering Honey Testing
See the Accreditations & Scope page for full certificate details.
Samples we accept for Honey Testing
From enquiry to accredited report
Request a Quote
Share product, parameters and target standard.
Send Sample
Submit in sealed, labelled packaging or arrange pickup.
Login & Prep
Logged in LIMS with unique IDs and prepared.
Accredited Analysis
Validated NABL-scope methods on advanced instruments.
Test Report
Traceable, accredited report with limit comparison.
Honey Testing — frequently asked questions
Is Honey Testing NABL-accredited at CVR Labs?
Can you detect sugar syrup added to honey?
What does HMF tell me about honey?
Do you test honey for export?
What samples do you accept for Honey Testing?
What parameters are included in Honey Testing?
Ready to test with an accredited laboratory?
NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · ISO 9001 · ISO 45001 · CPCB · BIS — trusted since 1999.