Standards Development

Scope

This standard specifies the quality indexes and test methods for palynology of honey, to lay down quality standards for the international trade of Honey pollen.

Purpose

Honey is a natural product composed of a multipart mixture (e.g. carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, minerals, pollens and etc.). Honey production of different regions varies on the basis of the floral sources available to the bees. Traces of these floral sources are incorporated into the honey in the form of microscopic particles such as pollen, fungal matter, and other elements. According to the Codex Alimentations Standard for Honey (Codex Committee on Sugars, 2000) and the EU Council Directive (EU Council, 2002) relating to honey, the use of a botanical designation of honey is allowed if it originates predominately from the indicated floral source. Because honeys from a single floral source, and/or particular geographic area often attract premium prices, it is important to be able to confirm their origins in order to protect consumer interests and avoid fraud.

The palynology of honey as supplementary test method to analyse the microscopic components of honey is recognized as one of the primary standards used to determine the botanical origins of specific honey types. Occasionally geographical origin can be established by the presence of characteristic pollens that are limited to a certain region. This standard is proposed in response to worldwide demand for specifications for methods to control the botanical and geographical origins of honey traded internationally. The object of this International Standard is to specify the test methods for palynological analysis of honey, to support quality control for the international trade of honey