10 out of 13 top honey brands in India have failed purity test conducted by Center for Science and Environment (CSE).
According to a report published in The Hindu, top honey brands in India like Dabur, Patanjali and Emami have failed the purity test.
CSE reportedly has said that almost all Indian brands of honey are adulterated with sugar syrup.
Notably, top honey brands in India had been pushing their products in the markets during the COVID-19 pandemic as immunity booster.
“Rampant adulteration in honey sold by top brands in India has been revealed in investigations with laboratory studies in India and Germany,” said CSE.
13 honey brands in total underwent Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) test carried out in Germany.
Only three brands – Saffola, Markfed Sohna and Nature’s Nectar – passed the NMR tests.
A total 22 samples of the 13 brands were taken up for purity tests.
As per laid down regulations, honey must specify fulfil around 18 parameters for producers to label it as ‘pure honey.’
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However, major honey brands in India reportedly dismissed the charge, terming the findings as ‘motivated’ and ‘a plot to defame the Indian natural honey industry’.
Meanwhile, Dabur Honey in a statement denied the charges.
It furnished a July 20 report from a German company, Bruker that is listed as a manufacturer of NMR imaging product, which reportedly said that there was no evidence of sugar syrup.
On the other hand, MD of Patanjali Ayurved – Acharya Balakrishan said, “We make 100 per cent natural honey, which has tested pure on more than 100 standards laid down by FSSAI.”
“It seems to be a plot to defame India’s natural honey industry and manufacturers in a bid to promote processed honey,” he said.