Dabur, Patanjali among 13 brands adulterating honey with sugar syrup: CSE study

Environment watchdog Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claimed on Wednesday that honey sold by 13 major brands in India including Dabur has been found adulterated with sugar syrup. Dabur, however, has rejected the allegation in a statement issued today.

Food researchers at CSE selected 13 top brands and some smaller brands that sell processed and raw honey in India to check their purity. The researchers found that 77 per cent of the samples were adulterated with sugar syrup. Out of the 22 samples that were checked, only five passed all the tests.

The CSE study said honey samples from leading brands such as Dabur, Patanjali, Baidyanath, Zandu, Hitkari and Apis Himalaya failed NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) test.

The samples of these brands were first tested at the Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Gujarat. The CSE said almost all the top brands passed the tests of purity while a few smaller brands failed the tests to detect C4 sugar or basic adulteration using cane sugar.

However, when the same brands were tested using NMR — laboratory tests currently being used globally to check for such modified sugar syrups — almost all the big and small brands failed. Out of the 13 brands, only three passed the NMR test conducted by a specialised laboratory in Germany.

The three brands are Saffola, MarkfedSohna and Nature's Nectar (one out of two samples).

"What we found was shocking. It shows how the business of adulteration has evolved so that it can pass the stipulated tests in India. Our concern is not just that the honey we eat is adulterated, but that this adulteration is difficult to catch. In fact, we have found that the sugar syrups are designed so that they can go undetected," said Amit Khurana, programme director of CSE's Food Safety and Toxins team, said.

Dabur rejects study

A Business Today report said Dabur has refuted the findings of the study. As per the Dabur's statement, it is the only company in India to have an NMR testing equipment in its own laboratory.

It is worth mentioning that Dabur’s statement also included an attachment of an NMR test report from Germany-based Bruker BioSpin GmbH, dated July 16, 2020. It stated that Dabur Honey had passed the NMR test.

The NMR tests have been made mandatory in India for honey that is meant for export as of August 1, 2020. This suggests that the government had an idea about the adulteration by some companies and sought advanced tests to determine the purity of honey.

An Emami spokesperson said that the Zandu Pure Honey “conforms and adheres” to all protocols and quality norms and standards laid down by the Government of India and its authorised entities such as FSSAI. However, unlike Dabur, it did not comment on the NMR test which is considered the global standard.

Meanwhile, an Apis Himalaya spokesperson replied saying that the company will not comment immediately but will hold a press conference.

CSE Director-General Sunita Narain said an additional undercover operation was conducted to find out more details. "Chinese companies informed CSE that even if 50-80 per cent of the honey is adulterated with syrup, it would pass all stipulated tests. A sample of the syrup that can bypass tests was then sent by the Chinese company as paint pigment to get through customs," she said.

Impact of adulterated food during Covid-19 pandemic

Sunita Narain also mentioned in the study that consuming adulterated food "compromises" public health during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"Indians today are consuming more honey because they believe in its intrinsic goodness antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and to build immunity against the virus. But if it is adulterated honey, what we are really eating is sugar, which will add to the challenge of overweight and obesity, which in turn makes us more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection," she said.

"Honey adulterated with sugar will not make us well. It will, in fact, make us even more vulnerable," she added.

Narain concluded saying that it is time to outwit the business of adulteration and added that there is a need to strengthen enforcement in India through public testing so companies can be held responsible.

“The government should get samples tested using advanced technologies and make this information public so that consumers are aware and our health is not compromised. It will also hold companies responsible," she said.

"Ensure that every honey company is required to trace back the origins of the honey from the beekeeper to the hive," she added.