ISO Honey Quality Testing
Ensure your honey meets emerging global standards for safety, authenticity, and purity.
The Proposed ISO Standard for Honey is a global benchmark currently in development to define the quality, purity, and authenticity of honey intended for direct human consumption, including pharmacy-grade honey and honey suitable for infant use.
What is the Proposed ISO Standard for Honey?
This standard aims to safeguard consumer trust, prevent contamination, reduce fraud, and establish uniform international expectations across retail and bulk-packaged honey.
The proposed ISO standard sets strict composition limits, defines prohibited processing methods, and outlines best-practice testing for critical honey attributes.
Currently under international development, the ISO Standard for Honey has special relevance to high-purity and unprocessed honey varieties.
Why Undertake ISO Honey Testing?
Support International Market Access
Align your honey with global standards and meet expectations of regulators, importers, and premium buyers.
Demonstrate Quality and Purity
Scientifically validate key quality attributes including moisture, HMF content, acidity, diastase activity, sugars, and more.
Prevent Contamination and Fraud
Ensure your honey is free from additives, surrogates, and processing treatments not permitted under the proposed ISO standard.
Enhance Product Labelling Claims
Back “raw,” “unheated,” “single-origin,” or “pharmaceutical-grade” claims with certified results.
Ensure Suitability for Medical or Infant Use
Meet stricter benchmarks for high-sensitivity markets, including pharmacy honey and baby food applications.
ISO-Compliant Tests Available at Y-Trace
- Moisture content: < 20% except Manuka honey 21%). Raw honey not more than 18%
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Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): Content (not more than 40 mg/kg, unless from Koppen classification group A and group B, the HMF content shall not be more than 80 mg/kg). Raw honey ot more than 40 mg/kg.
- Fructose and Glucose: (not less than 60 g/100g).
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Sucrose content: (no more than 5 g/100g. Not more than 10g/100g: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Citrus spp., False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), French Honeysuckle (Hedysarum), Menzies Banksia (Banksia menziesii), Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida), Eucryphia milligani. No more than 15g/100g: Lavender (Lavandula spp), Borage (Borago officinalis)). -
Microbial Limits Test: Confirms your honey is safe and hygienic by verifying low levels of bacteria, moulds, and yeasts, and ensures harmful bacteria like Clostridium species are absent, especially critical for products intended for infants. -
Water Insoluble Solids Content: (no more than 0.1 g/100g) -
Free Acidity: (not more than 50 milliequivalents acid per 1000g) -
Diastase Activity: (not less than 8 Schade units and in the case of honeys with a low natural enzyme content not less than 3 Schade Units.)
Note: All tests are performed in our accredited laboratory using internationally validated methods.
What the ISO Standard Means for You
The ISO standard prohibits any processing or treatment that alters the essential characteristics of honey, including:
Use of chemical or biochemical agents to influence crystallisation, flavour, aroma, or composition
Vacuum drying or significant pressure reduction to artificially reduce moisture content
Resin-based filtration, ion exchange, or other forms of adulteration
Addition of foreign substances, additives, or "supplemented" honey components
Adherence ensures your honey remains naturally derived, unadulterated, and safe for even the most sensitive markets.
Get Started with ISO Honey Quality Testing
Future-proof your honey business with ISO-aligned testing. Order testing online or contact us to discuss custom testing panels. Position your product for export, premium retail, and pharmacy-grade use.
Get Started Today.