Quickly & accurately analyze your Honey for adulteration using the trusted SIRA method
Like most of nature’s bounty, honey is a complex mixture resulting from a complicated process. The bees gather nectar from many plants, in various regions, over different climates. The product we lump under one name, “honey”, is in many ways just as variable. Which means that it’s hard to define in detail exactly what true honey should look like.
Since honey is expensive, there is a strong financial incentive among some to increase profit margins by stretching honey with cheaper syrups. If corn syrup is used, the only way to detect it with certainty is by looking at the isotopic ratio of its carbon. While the sugars in HFCS are very similar to those in honey, the isotope ratio of corn is very different from that of nectars and a blend will exhibit an intermediate value.
An inexpensive carbon SIRA analysis can quickly tell you if a honey has been grossly adulterated while a complete examination can give a more quantitative estimate of the C4 addition. When the complete AOAC method is not required, a customer may wish to use the initial SIRA test as a screening tool to alert them to possible problem products which then could be subjected to closer scrutiny.
FDA detention of Imports
Siratech has been able to help several clients process imported honey shipments that have been detained by the FDA. If detained without physical examination (DWPE) because of a producer’s volatile history, samples may be submitted to a private laboratory for analysis to prove that it is not in violation of FDA restrictions. Siratech can help if the samples must be shown to be unadulterated by C4 sugars. The FDA recognizes the AOAC 998.12 SIRA method for detection of honey adulteration by C4 sugars but does not maintain the analytical capability for the method.
First, the importer must check with the detention authority to find out what sampling protocol would be needed. A professional sampling service could then be contacted to sample the containers and ship the samples to Siratech for analysis. Rapid turnaround and thorough documentation of the analytical process is essential to expedite the release of the shipment. Siratech will help meet all deadlines and communicate with the detention authorities to whatever extent necessary. It is important for the client to act quickly under these circumstances as the detention involves time limits which must be met to avoid import refusal. Large numbers of samples may be involved and the preparation and analysis of honeys is time consuming and labor-intensive.
