Labeling Regulations and Quality Control of Honey Origin: A Review

ABSTRACT

Honey, a complex product made by bees, represents a rich natural source of simple carbohydrates. The characteristic flavor, health benefits, and high economic value of honey depend on its origin and production methods. Therefore, labels have been developed to recognize honey quality linked to origin or production method, in order to inform consumers about these specific determinants. This review aims to deepen the knowledge of honey quality linked to the origin and to present an overview of the literature concerning the methods to determine its authenticity. Legislative aspects and the general parameters required for honey generic quality are presented, as well as honey quality control methods with emphasis on the profiling determination.

KEYWORDS:

• Honey quality
• origin
• labeling
• reference methods
• profiling methods

Acknowledgments

The manuscript is part of MNM Ph.D. thesis. Financial support was granted by project SAFE-HONEY (PN-III=P2-890/12.09.2017 to LAM, DSD, and OB) and Program 1 – Development of the National Research and Development System, Subprogram 1.2 – Institutional Performance – Projects for Financing the Excellence in CDI, Contract no. 37PFE/06.11.2018. Title of the project: ”Increasing the institutional performance through consolidation and development of research directions within the USAMVCN”.

Author Contributions

Mariana Niculina Mădaş researched literature studies, prepared chapters Introduction and Traditional analytical methods for testing the quality of honey, wrote the first draft of the manuscript; Liviu Alexandru Mărghitaş, Ph.D. coordinator of MNM, designed and drafted the manuscript; Daniel Severus Dezmirean locating and interpreting the literature overview concerning Honey quality; Otilia Bobiş, corresponding author was involved in organization of topics and distribution of subchapters, made critical input and corrections of the manuscript (initial and reviewed), Ouissam Abbas and Sabine Danthine, prepared the literature review concerning chapter New Profiling Techniques and contribute to Conclusion chapter design; Frédéric Francis and Eric Haubruge coordinate the authors contribution, critical corrections, and final editing approval; Bach Kim Nguyen was involved in concept development of the manuscript, indicate the Journal as appropriate for submission and made final corrections.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Development of the National Research and Development System, Subprogram 1.2 - Institutional Performance [Contract no. 37PFE/06.11.2018.];Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation, Bucharest, Romania [SAFE HONEY PN-III=P2-890/12.09.2017].