Hydroxymethylfurfural and honey adulteration

The value of the determination of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the detection if invert sirup adulteration of honey is examined. Analysis of 481 samples of extracted honey and 41 comb honeys from producers, and samples of honey before and after processing from 8 packers provided basic data for establishing guidelines for HMF content of honey. A sample containing 20 mg/100 g or more should be considered as possibly adulterated and subjected to additional analysis for confirmation of the presence or absence of adulteration. Extremely high (about 50 mg/100 g) values are conclusive, however.