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FSSAI includes HMF as quality parameter in honey; non-compliant samples substd
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Tuesday, 25 November, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India has included Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a quality parameter in honey. The food regulator has issued an advisory in this regard recently, stating that the samples found non-compliant with the limit of HMF shall be considered as 'substandard'.
As per Clause 2.8.3(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the standards for honey specify a maximum permissible limit of 80 mg/kg for Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and it was highlighted to FSSAI in some representation that there are inconsistencies in the classification of honey samples that exceed this limit, with some analysts reporting them as 'Substandard' and others as 'Unsafe'
The confusion arose after the relevant Scientific Panel of the FSSAI in its 29th meeting held on Dec 18, 2024, had examined this issue and concluded that enough research material is not available to establish the safety implications of consumption of honey higher than the prescribed level of HMF.
While FSSAI maintained that the Scientific Panel may deliberate it again as and when more data are available and till that time HMF to be treated as a quality parameter. Further, the food regulator has clarified that any honey sample found to be non-compliant with the prescribed limit for HMF shall be categorised as "Substandard".
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