After the world’s first innovative method for detecting honey counterfeits was accredited in Serbia (the EIM-IRMS of the Analab laboratory, which was later robbed, causing the mafia to shut down its operations), we are pleased to announce that the method of the Estonian laboratory Celvia CC has now been accredited and has now received ISO 17025 accreditation for its DNA analysis of honey, which is the second accredited innovative method in the world for detecting counterfeits.
Suspicious batches of honey entering the EU are being mixed with honey originating from the EU, making it extremely difficult to detect fraud without advanced methods.
This accreditation reflects years of persistent, methodical work — and finally gives us a scientifically validated tool for identifying and removing counterfeit or adulterated honey from retail shelves. It is a significant step forward for consumer trust and for honest producers who deserve a fair market.
Discussions with the authorities have already begun and we are confident that this method will help implement real changes in the way honey quality is monitored and enforced.
Of course, a lot of water will still flow down the Danube until Europe implements this and other innovative methods for detecting honey counterfeits, but now the ball is in the EU’s court, now they also have an accredited method, and our European Beekeepers’ Association (EBA) has the difficult task of speeding up the slow EU procedures and implementing the new method as soon as possible at the EU level, after which it will have to be implemented in Serbia as well, and finally putting the mafia where it belongs.
