The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an important clarification regarding Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels in honey.
As per Clause 2.8.3(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, honey must not contain more than 80 mg/kg of HMF However, there was confusion in classification when this limit was exceeded — with some labs marking such samples as “Unsafe” and others as “Substandard.”
In its 29th Scientific Panel Meeting held on 18.12.2024, FSSAI reviewed the issue and observed that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to link higher HMF levels with proven safety risks to consumers.
👉 Based on this, the Scientific Panel has decided that HMF will be treated as a quality parameter rather than a safety parameter.
✅ Official Clarification:
Any honey sample found exceeding the prescribed limit of HMF (80 mg/kg) will now be categorized as Substandard” and not “Unsafe.”
This clarification has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and brings uniformity in the interpretation of honey quality standards across testing laboratories.
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