Honey Fraud as a Moving Analytical Target: Omics-Informed Authentication Within a Multi-Layer Analytical Framework

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety

Background:

• Honey fraud is a significant global issue due to complex supply chains and economic incentives.
• Conventional analytical methods struggle to detect sophisticated adulteration designed to mimic authentic honey.
• Regulatory and analytical capacity disparities worldwide create vulnerabilities in international honey trade.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on honey fraud typologies.
• To critically evaluate established and emerging analytical authentication strategies.
• To frame honey authentication as a systemic challenge requiring integrated solutions.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of scientific literature on honey fraud.
• Critical evaluation of physicochemical, spectroscopic, isotopic, and omics-based analytical approaches.
• Distinction between analytical vulnerabilities, feasible adulteration, and documented fraud cases.

Main Results:

• Sophisticated honey adulteration challenges conventional analytical methods.
• Omics-based strategies (genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, microbiome profiling) offer multidimensional signatures for improved detection.
• Advanced technologies present potential system-level risks rather than confirmed large-scale fraud.

Conclusions:

• Honey authentication requires integrated, data-driven frameworks beyond purely analytical solutions.
• Alignment of analytical innovation with reference harmonization, governance, and international cooperation is crucial.
• Systemic challenges in global food systems necessitate robust and scalable honey authenticity control.