Honeygate! Only Saffola, MarkfedSohna, Nature's Nectar among 13 brands pass sugar syrup test, claims CSE
Honey samples from leading brands such as Dabur, Patanjali, Baidyanath, Zandu, Hitkari and Apis Himalaya, all failed the NMR test
- Dec 2, 2020,
- Updated Dec 4, 2020 10:46 PM IST
It is time we outwitted the business of adulteration, says Narain. She suggests stopping the import of syrup and honey from China and strengthen enforcement in India through public testing so that companies are held responsible. "Government should get samples tested using advanced technologies and make this information public so that consumers are aware and our health is not compromised."
She adds what will help in the long run is to ensure that every honey company is required to trace back the origins of the honey - from the beekeeper to the hive. "What should also concern us is that the loss of bees will lead to a collapse of our food system - bees are critical for pollination; if honey is adulterated, then not only do we lose our health, but also the productivity of our agriculture."
"It is for this reason we are publishing this investigation - we know that the honey processing industry is powerful and will argue that it meets the Indian standards for honey purity - but there is too much at stake here," said Narain and Khurana.
It is time we outwitted the business of adulteration, says Narain. She suggests stopping the import of syrup and honey from China and strengthen enforcement in India through public testing so that companies are held responsible. "Government should get samples tested using advanced technologies and make this information public so that consumers are aware and our health is not compromised."
She adds what will help in the long run is to ensure that every honey company is required to trace back the origins of the honey - from the beekeeper to the hive. "What should also concern us is that the loss of bees will lead to a collapse of our food system - bees are critical for pollination; if honey is adulterated, then not only do we lose our health, but also the productivity of our agriculture."
"It is for this reason we are publishing this investigation - we know that the honey processing industry is powerful and will argue that it meets the Indian standards for honey purity - but there is too much at stake here," said Narain and Khurana.