Honey Authentication: A review of the issues and challenges associated with honey adulteration Debalina Bose a,* , Manchikanti Padmavati b a P.K. Sinha Centre for Bioenergy and Renewables, Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India b Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Food fraud Honey adulteration Authenticity Government initiatives Ethical concerns ABSTRACT Honey, often referred to as ‘liquid gold,’ a time-honoured natural food with a rich history, has now ascended to the status of a superfood in today’s global market, thanks to its myriad nutraceutical properties. Despite its esteemed position, the global honey industry confronts a formidable challenge posed by the surge in adulteration driven by economic motives. This predicament complicates the authentication process, as sophisticated fraud- ulent methods come into play. The repercussions of such deceptive practices extend across the honey market, affecting its pricing, quality, and nutritional value, leading to an erosion of consumer trust and potential health risks. Notably, the analytical techniques employed for verifying honey authenticity often yield intricate, data- rich certificates of analysis that may be opaque to stakeholders lacking specialized knowledge. Recent initia- tives have emerged to counteract this issue, incorporating modern rapid and sensitive techniques, establishing auditing, implementing certification processes, and garnering the involvement of global regulatory bodies. Collaborative actions are essential to preserve the integrity of honey, protect consumer interests, and foster a resilient and transparent honey industry worldwide. Consequently, this article underscores the comprehensive measures and technological advancements in detection of adulteration, and the layers of authentication pro- cesses to ensure ethical practices within the honey industry. 1. Introduction Honey, a natural sweetener crafted by bees, holds a history as both a cherished food and a traditional medicine. However, the global food industry faces a significant challenge with the rise of adulteration, where foreign substances or artificial sweeteners are added, compromising the quality, authenticity, and nutritional value of food (Momtaz et al., 2023). Among several such incidents of food adulteration reported in recent times, honey is one of the food items topping the list of adulter- ated products (Fakhlaei et al., 2020). This trend not only deceives consumers but also impacts legitimate honey producers who struggle to compete with counterfeit products saturating the market. Beyond con- sumer deception, these repercussions extend into areas such as con- sumer health, ethical consumerism, industrial standards, and international trade laws. To combat this challenge, honey authentica- tion has become crucial, with authorities and experts employing various techniques to differentiate real honey from adulterated versions, though this task is complicated by the increasingly sophisticated methods used by fraudsters and the diverse nature of honey. The global honey industry is influenced by practices in different countries, which connect with market dynamics through cultural, regional, and quality variations, trade, sustainability, and innovation. Honey practices vary due to factors like climate and traditions, affecting honey types and flavors. Market practices respond to regional differ- ences, ensuring consumer access to diverse honey options. Quality standards and certifications maintain purity and safety, instilling con- sumer confidence. Honey practices align with sustainable beekeeping, promoting eco-friendly methods worldwide. Market dynamics impact pricing and livelihoods in beekeeping regions. Cross-cultural exchange and innovative honey products stem from regional practices, benefiting the global industry. Enhancements in honey production result from advances in beekeeping technology, breeding, nutrition, pest manage- ment, and knowledge sharing. Environmental conservation, climate control, and market demand bolster productivity, ensuring the avail- ability of high-quality honey globally. Whereas, beekeepers’ dedication and expertise drive the industry’s growth. The demand for honey in India has been steadily on the rise, fuelled * Corresponding author. E-mail address: debalinabose22@gmail.com (D. Bose). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Food Bioscience journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/fbio https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105004 Received 5 July 2024; Received in revised form 25 August 2024; Accepted 26 August 2024 Food Bioscience 61 (2024) 105004 Available online 27 August 2024 2212-4292/© 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.