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DNA Testing Emerges as a Vital Tool Against Honey Fraud
In the Tyrol province of Austria, a laboratory is conducting DNA analyses on approximately 100 honey samples each month. This initiative aims to assess honey’s composition and detect potential adulteration.
With the rise of counterfeit honey in the market and limited European laboratories equipped to perform such analyses, Sinsoma, a small Austrian company, introduced these tests two years ago.
“This is indeed a novel development for the honey industry,” remarked Corinna Wallinger, Sinsoma’s head of sales. She emphasized the necessity for technology to advance as rapidly as the tactics of fraudsters.
European Union regulations prohibit the addition of substances like water or cheaper sugar syrups to honey, but such practices have become alarmingly prevalent. An EU investigation revealed that between 2021 and 2022, nearly 46% of honey samples entering the bloc were identified as potentially adulterated, a significant increase from 14% in the 2015-2017 timeframe. A staggering 74% of these flagged samples originated from China.
The Impact on Beekeepers
In an effort to combat this issue, Austria’s health and food safety agency (AGES) has, for the first time this year, implemented DNA testing and is currently analyzing the results. Meanwhile, the European supermarket chain SPAR has also begun testing its honey products.
After temporarily removing its honey from shelves for testing, SPAR reinstated the products once they successfully passed DNA examinations and additional analyses. The prevalence of fake honey not only deceives consumers but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of beekeepers, who struggle against the much lower prices of imported honey, often sourced from various countries.
“We face an uphill battle,” stated Matthias Kopetzky, who manages up to 350 hives with his Wiener Bezirksimkerei in Vienna. “The price differences leave us at a disadvantage.”
While the European Union stands as the second-largest honey producer globally, it is also the second-largest importer after the U.S. Most imports come from countries like Ukraine, China, and Argentina, according to EU statistics. A new EU directive, effective mid-2026, mandates that honey labels disclose specific countries of origin rather than simply stating “a blend of EU and non-EU honeys.”
Beekeepers like Kopetzky anticipate that such regulations will enhance consumer awareness about honey sourcing and quality.
In response to the growing concern, the EU has also established a task force to harmonize detection methods for honey adulteration, with a mandate that extends until 2028. Their goal is to trace products back to their source, whether it be the producer or importer.
Enhancing Detection Capabilities
Sinsoma has carved a niche in the realm of DNA testing, leveraging the unique genetic markers found in honey to provide insight into the flora from which the nectar was sourced. “Honey contains an array of DNA traces reflecting the environment where the bees collected nectar. Each honey has a distinct DNA profile,” Wallinger explained.
If a honey sample shows a lack of diverse DNA traces or contains an unusually high concentration of DNA from plants like rice or corn—species bees typically do not visit—this can suggest the honey is fraudulent, she added.
Founded in 2018, Sinsoma currently operates with a small team in a modest facility in Voels, near Innsbruck.
For beekeepers, Sinsoma offers a basic DNA test at a cost of 94 euros ($103), which targets plant species, making it about half the price of traditional pollen tests. Additionally, customers receive a QR code that enables consumers to check which plant species contributed to their honey.
Experts caution, however, that while the DNA testing method is effective against certain types of fraud, it is not exhaustive. A thorough validation process is essential to ensure the reliability of the results. Wallinger acknowledged the pressing need for standardized protocols, while also noting that the rapid evolution of fraud tactics means that delays in regulatory methods could result in always lagging behind counterfeiters.
Source
phys.org