Quick Facts
- CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) 2020 investigation: 77% of 13 major Indian honey brands tested positive for sugar syrup adulteration by NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) testing
- The most common adulterant is rice syrup and corn syrup — specifically processed to pass standard FSSAI tests while failing the more sensitive NMR test used internationally
- Chinese sugar syrup is specifically engineered to be undetectable by conventional C4 sugar tests — this is why brands pass routine FSSAI tests but fail NMR
- True pure honey crystallises at room temperature or in the refrigerator — liquid honey that never crystallises is a strong indicator of adulteration
- FSSAI updated honey standards in 2020 to include NMR testing after the CSE exposé — but enforcement remains limited and costly
- The water glass test is the most reliable simple home test: pure honey sinks as a lump; adulterated honey dissolves and spreads
The CSE 2020 Investigation — What It Found
In October 2020, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) tested 13 honey brands sold in India using NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy — the most sensitive test for sugar adulteration available.
Brands tested (October 2020):
- 10 of 13 brands tested positive for sugar syrup markers by NMR
- These included major national brands and brands marketed as “natural” and “pure”
- The same brands had passed FSSAI’s standard honey testing (which does not require NMR)
The key finding: Honey is being adulterated with sugar syrups (primarily rice syrup) that are specifically engineered to pass the standard chemical tests (C4 sugar test, HMF test) while failing NMR. This is a sophisticated, deliberate adulteration strategy.
How Honey Is Adulterated
Sugar syrup blending: The cheapest and most common method. Rice syrup or corn syrup (which has a similar sugar profile to honey) is blended with honey. The final product looks and tastes like honey.
Rice syrup adulteration: Processed rice syrup can be manufactured to exactly mimic honey’s sugar profile on basic tests. It is relatively cheap (₹40–60/kg) and undetectable without NMR.
Feeding bees sugar: Beekeepers supplement bees with sugar water during nectar-scarce seasons. Bees convert this sugar into a substance chemically similar to honey. This is technically adulterated honey produced by bees, not humans adding sugar — but the result is nutritionally inferior.
Inverted syrup: Chemically treated sugar syrup with enzyme-converted fructose levels similar to honey — designed to pass fructose/glucose ratio tests.
Standard Tests vs NMR
| Test | What It Detects | Can Miss | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4 Sugar Test | Corn syrup, cane sugar | Rice syrup specifically | Lab required |
| HMF Test | Heat damage, age | Sugar syrup (fresh) | Lab required |
| Optical Rotation | Cane sugar | Rice and corn syrups | Lab required |
| NMR Spectroscopy | All sugar adulterants | Almost nothing | ₹5,000–15,000 |
| Water glass test | Simple dilution/syrup | Sophisticated adulterants | Free, at home |
The NMR test is the gold standard — it produces a “fingerprint” of the honey’s molecular composition that cannot be faked with current technology.
5 Home Tests for Honey Purity
Home Test: Water Glass Test (Most Reliable Home Test)
Steps
- 1 Fill a glass with water at room temperature
- 2 Drop 1 teaspoon of honey into the glass without stirring
- 3 Observe what happens over 30–60 seconds
Pure / Pass
Pure honey sinks to the bottom as a lump and does not dissolve quickly. It maintains its shape for several minutes.
Adulterated / Fail
Adulterated honey dissolves and spreads through the water quickly, or breaks apart immediately on contact with water.
Home Test: Thumb Test
Steps
- 1 Place a small drop of honey on your thumb
- 2 Observe whether it spreads or stays in place
Pure / Pass
Pure honey stays in place as a drop — it does not spread across the thumb due to its thick consistency and low water content.
Adulterated / Fail
Adulterated honey spreads or runs off the thumb due to higher water content and lower viscosity.
Home Test: Flame Test
Steps
- 1 Dip a dry matchstick in honey
- 2 Try to light the matchstick
- 3 Observe whether it lights
Pure / Pass
A matchstick dipped in pure honey lights easily — pure honey has very low moisture content that does not prevent ignition.
Adulterated / Fail
A matchstick dipped in adulterated honey does not light or lights with difficulty — higher water content prevents ignition.
Home Test: Paper Test
Steps
- 1 Place a few drops of honey on white absorbent paper (paper napkin)
- 2 Wait 2–3 minutes and observe
Pure / Pass
Pure honey does not leave a wet stain on paper — it stays as a distinct drop without spreading due to low water content.
Adulterated / Fail
Adulterated honey leaves a wet, spreading stain on paper — the added water soaks into and through the paper.
Home Test: Crystallisation Test
Steps
- 1 Place your honey in the refrigerator for 24–48 hours
- 2 Observe whether crystallisation occurs
Pure / Pass
Pure honey crystallises in the refrigerator — forming small solid crystals throughout. This is a natural property of genuine honey.
Adulterated / Fail
Adulterated honey with sugar syrup may not crystallise or crystallises differently. Note: not all pure honey crystallises at the same rate — this test is confirmatory, not definitive.
What Pure Honey Looks Like — Reference Points
- Texture: Thick, viscous, does not pour quickly at room temperature
- Crystallisation: Crystallises over time at room temperature or refrigerator temperature — this is natural and good
- Taste: Complex, slightly floral or fruity, not just sweetness
- Colour: Varies by floral source — light yellow, amber, dark brown — all are natural
- Aroma: Distinct floral aroma; adulterated honey often smells sweet but flat
Available at Organic Mandya
Organic Mandya Forest Honey
NMR tested for sugar adulteration. Lab report published at trust.organicmandya.com. Crystallises naturally — a sign of purity.
Q If honey passes FSSAI tests, is it safe to buy?
If honey passes FSSAI tests, is it safe to buy?
Not necessarily — this is the core problem revealed by the CSE investigation. FSSAI's standard honey testing (C4 sugar test, HMF, optical rotation) cannot detect the newer generation of rice syrup adulterants. Brands specifically using Chinese-processed rice syrup pass all FSSAI tests while failing NMR. FSSAI updated its standards in 2020 to recommend NMR testing, but enforcement is inconsistent because NMR is expensive (₹5,000–15,000 per test) and limited to specific labs. An FSSAI pass for honey is necessary but not sufficient proof of purity.
Q Which brands of honey are genuinely pure in India?
Which brands of honey are genuinely pure in India?
We cannot name or recommend specific competing brands. The CSE 2020 study named brands that failed and passed NMR testing — that report is publicly available at cseindia.org. The safest approach: buy honey from brands that publish their NMR test results publicly (not just standard FSSAI tests), buy from small local beekeepers you can trace, or buy from farms that you can verify. Honey that crystallises naturally at room temperature and passes the water glass test is more likely to be genuine.
Q Is crystallised honey better than liquid honey?
Is crystallised honey better than liquid honey?
Yes — crystallisation is actually a sign of purity. Pure raw honey naturally crystallises over time because of its glucose content. Honey that is always liquid has either been excessively heated (which destroys enzymes and antioxidants) or contains sugar syrups that don't crystallise normally. If your honey crystallises, it has not 'gone bad' — it is working correctly. Warm the jar gently in warm water to re-liquefy. Never microwave or boil honey — heat above 40°C destroys enzymes and beneficial compounds.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition.