Biodlingsföretagarna tested 40 different types of honey purchased from Swedish grocery stores, including four Swedish and 36 imported varieties. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Yngve Kihlberg of Biodlingsföretagarna said all imported samples were classified as non-authentic by the lab, containing some honey but also other substances. The organization first demonstrated the issue a year ago using DNA analysis.
The DNA analysis method, performed by a laboratory in Estonia, compares results with a database of authentic honey samples, including from Swedish beekeepers. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kaarel Krjutškov, CEO of Celvia and professor in molecular diagnostics, described honey as a living organism containing DNA from plants, insects, bacteria, fungi, and even humans and pets. The method has now received certification, and Biodlingsföretagarna hopes for wider adoption. Kihlberg said it is only a matter of time before authorities adopt the method.
We tested 40 different types of honey that we bought in Swedish grocery stores. Four were Swedish and 36 were imported. All the imported ones were classified as non-authentic by the lab. They contained some honey in all of them, but they also contained something else.
Biodlingsföretagarna considers honey fraud an existential threat to European beekeepers, as cheap fake honey floods the market, especially from China. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kihlberg warned that extremely cheap, fake honey is flooding in, threatening food supply in Europe. Several recent revelations have shown imported honey diluted with sugar solutions.
Honey is largely like a living organism that contains DNA from many different components: plants, insects, bacteria, fungi – even DNA from humans and pets.
Now it's only a matter of time before the authorities adopt it and can start using it.
Now extremely cheap, fake honey is flooding in, especially from China. If the bees disappear, the crops won't be pollinated and then food becomes more expensive.