Honey Adulteration and Contamination: Impacts on Nutritional and Medicinal Value
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v4i1.217Keywords:
Afghanistan, Honey authentication, Analytical detection methods, Honey quality and safetyAbstract
Honey has long been recognized for its complex nutritional composition and therapeutic potential, attributable to its naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants, and other bioactive constituents. In recent years, however, concerns about adulteration and contamination have intensified, raising serious questions about the quality and authenticity of honey available on the market. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence on honey adulteration and contamination, evaluates how these practices affect the nutritional profile and pharmacological properties of honey, and discusses their implications for the honey-producing sectors, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and conflict-affected areas. Many such countries face constraints, including weak regulatory enforcement, limited quality-control systems, and inadequate analytical laboratory capacity, which collectively impede sectoral growth and competitiveness. Drawing on a broad range of peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, the review discusses common adulterants (including sugar syrups and artificial sweeteners) and contaminants (such as pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotic residues). It also assesses the applicability and performance of analytical methods, including chromatographic, spectroscopic, and molecular-based techniques, for detecting these quality defects. Importantly, no primary laboratory studies quantifying adulteration and contamination in Afghan honey were identified; therefore, information on Afghanistan is used only as a qualitative, contextual example rather than as a source of analytical data. The evidence indicates that uncontrolled adulteration and contamination not only compromise honey’s therapeutic efficacy but also erode consumer confidence and undermine market sustainability. To support long-term sectoral development, the review highlights the need for more robust regulatory frameworks, targeted investment in quality-assurance and testing infrastructure, and structured technical training for beekeepers and honey processors in low- and middle-income settings
Downloads
References
Reference
Afrin, S., Yadav, D., & Ansari, M. F. (2020). Health benefits and medicinal applications of honey: A review. International Journal of Food Science, 2020, 4579134. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4579134
Afroz, R., Tanvir, E. M., Paul, S., Bhoumik, N. C., Gan, S. H., & Khalil, M. I. (2016). DNA damage inhibition properties of Sundarban honey and its phenolic composition. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 40(4), 436–445. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12240
Ahmad, F., Gurung, M. B., Khan, S., & Partap, U. (2010). Honeybees, pollination, and livelihoods. Mountain Development Resource Book for Afghanistan, 25.
Al-Waili, N., Salom, K., Al-Ghamdi, A., & Ansari, M. J. (2012). Antibiotic, pesticide, and microbial contaminants of honey: Human health hazards. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, Article ID 930849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/930849
Awasthi, S., Jain, K., Das, A., Alam, R., Surti, G., & Kishan, N. (2014). Analysis of food quality and food adulterants from different departmental & local grocery stores by qualitative analysis for food safety. International Organization of Scientific Research Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 8(2), 22–26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9790/2402-08232226
Baggio, A., Gallina, A., Benetti, C., & Mutinelli, F. (2009). Residues of antibacterial drugs in honey from the Italian market. Food Additives and Contaminants: Part B, 2(1), 52–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02652030902897721
Barrasso, R., Bonerba, E., Savarino, A., Ceci, E., Bozzo, G., & Tantillo, G. (2018). Simultaneous quantitative detection of six families of antibiotics in honey using a biochip multi-array technology. Veterinary Sciences, 6, 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci6010001
Basar, & Ozdemir, D. (2018). Determination of honey adulteration with beet sugar and corn syrup using infrared spectroscopy and genetic-algorithm-based multivariate calibration. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(15), 5616–5624. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9105
Bayat, B. (2020, July 15). Challenges facing the Afghan honey industry. The Afghanistan Times. Retrieved from https://www.afghanistantimes.af/
Biswas, K., Naresh, S., Jaygadkar, S. S., & Chaudhari, S. R. (2023). Enabling honey quality and authenticity with NMR and LC-IRMS based platform. Food Chemistry, 416, 135825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135825
Bogdanov, S. (2006). Contaminants of bee products. Apidologie, 37, 1–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2005043
Bogdanov, S., Jurendic, T., Sieber, R., & Gallmann, P. (2008). Honey for nutrition and health: A review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 27(6), 677–689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2008.10719745
Bonerba, E., Panseri, S., Arioli, F., et al. (2021). Determination of antibiotic residues in honey in relation to different potential sources and relevance for food inspection. Food Chemistry, 334, Article ID 127575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127575
Brifa, E., Sinagra, R., & Blundell, R. (2020). Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans. Heliyon, 6(9), Article ID e04691.
Brifa, J., Sinagra, E., & Blundell, R. (2020). Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans. Heliyon, 6(9), Article ID e04691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691
Chiesa, L. M., Labella, G. F., Giorgi, A., et al. (2016). The occurrence of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in Italian organic honeys from different productive areas in relation to potential environmental pollution. Chemosphere, 154, 482–490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.04.004
Cianciosi, D., Forbes-Hernandez, T. Y., & Cianciosi, M. (2020). Honey as an anticancer agent: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action. Food Chemistry, 319, 126589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126589
Cianciosi, D., Forbes-Hernandez, T. Y., Cianciosi, M., et al. (2018). Potential cancer-preventive effects of honey. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(5), 145. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm7050145
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). (1981). Codex standard for honey (CXS 12-1981). FAO/WHO.
Corradini, C., Cavazza, A., & Bignardi, C. (2012). High-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed electrochemical detection as a powerful tool to evaluate carbohydrates of food interest: Principles and applications. International Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry, 2012, Article ID 487564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/487564
Danieli, P. P., & Lazzari, F. (2022). Honey traceability and authenticity: Review of current methods most used to face this problem. Journal of Apicultural Science, 66(2), 101–119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2022-0012
De Souza, A. P. F., Rodrigues, N. R., & Reyes, F. G. R. (2021). Glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues in Brazilian honey. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B, 14(1), 40-47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2020.1855676
El Agrebi, N., Traynor, K., Wilmart, O., et al. (2020). Pesticide and veterinary drug residues in Belgian beeswax: Occurrence, toxicity, and risk to honey bees. Science of the Total Environment, 745, Article ID 141036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141036
Fakhlaei, J., Selamat, J., & Khatib, A. (2020). The toxic impact of honey adulteration: A review. Foods, 9(11), 1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9111538
Fakhlaei, R., Selamat, J., Khatib, A., et al. (2020). The toxic impact of honey adulteration: A review. Foods, 9(11), 1538.
Fakhlaei, R., Selamat, J., Khatib, A., et al. (2020). The toxic impact of honey adulteration: A review. Foods, 9(11), 1538. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9111538
Fakhri, Y., Abtahi, M., Atamaleki, A., et al. (2019). The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in honey: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and risk assessment. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 91, 498–506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.07.011
Fakhri, Y., Mohseni-Bandpei, A., Oliveri Conti, G., et al. (2018). Systematic review and health risk assessment of arsenic and lead in the fished shrimps from the Persian Gulf. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 113, 278–286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.01.046
FAO Afghanistan. (2024, January 18). Basil honey from Daman District provides income to a widow.
Gluck. (2024, August 20). Harvesting honey in Afghanistan raises hopes for a sweeter future. UNHCR.
Goderska, K. (2022). Properties of bee honeys and respective analytical methods. Food Analytical Methods, 15(6), 1720–1735. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02243-0
Gul, S. (2023). Exploring the honey value chain among Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Journal of Business and Management Research, 2(2), 828–859.
Guler, H., Kocaokutgen, K., Garipoglu, A. V., Onder, H., Ekinci, D., & Biyik, S. (2014). Detection of adulterated honey produced by honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies fed with different levels of commercial industrial sugar (C3 and C4 plants) syrups by the carbon isotope ratio analysis. Food Chemistry, 155, 155–160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.033
Islam, M. N., Khalil, M. I., Islam, M. A., & Gan, S. H. (2014). Toxic compounds in honey. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 34(7), 733–742. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2952
Ismail, M. M., & Ismail, W. I. W. (2018). Development of stingless beekeeping projects in Malaysia. Environment, Energy and Earth Sciences Web of Conferences, 52, Article ID 00028. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20185200028
Kılıç Altun, S., Dinç, H., Paksoy, N., Temamogulları, F. K., & Savrunlu, M. (2017). Analyses of mineral content and heavy metals of honey samples from South and East regions of Turkey using ICP-MS. International Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2017, Article ID 6391454, 6 pages. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6391454
Lasheras, R. J., Lazaro, R., Burillo, J. C., & Bayarri, S. (2021). Occurrence of pesticide residues in Spanish honey measured by QuEChERS method followed by liquid and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Foods, 10, 2262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10102262
Lim, S., Cho, Y. M., Park, K. S., & Lee, H. K. (2010). Persistent organic pollutants, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1201(1), 166–176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05622.x
Meli, M. A., Desideri, D., Roselli, C., Benedetti, C., & Feduzi, L. (2015). Essential and toxic elements in honeys from a region of Central Italy. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 78(10), 617–627. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2014.1004006
Miguel, M. G., Costa, A. S., & Figueiredo, E. (2017). Antioxidant properties and nutritional value of honey: A review. Science Progress, 100(3), 233–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0036850417708231
Ministry of Industry and Commerce. (2023). Afghanistan exports honey worth $4,500 to Oman, Germany, and Japan.
Mititelu, M., Udeanu, D. I., Docea, A. O., et al. (2023). New method for risk assessment in environmental health: The paradigm of heavy metals in honey. Environmental Research, 236, Article ID 115194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.115194
Momtaz, S., Kheiri, S., & Hossain, M. (2023). Honey adulteration and its socio-economic impact. Food Control, 132, 108524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-4648(23)00010-4
Morariu, D., Avasilcai, L., Vieriu, M., et al. (2020). Experimental study on the influence of sulfonamides drug residues from honey on biochemical parameters in lab rats. Farmacia, 68(3), 470–475. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31925/farmacia.2020.3.12
Morariu, I. D., Avasilcai, L., Vieriu, M., Cioanca, O., & Hancianu, M. (2019). Immunochemical assay of chloramphenicol in honey. Farmacia, 67(2), 235–239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31925/farmacia.2019.2.6
Morariu, I. D., Avasilcai, L., Vieriu, M., Panainte, A. D., & Bibire, N. (2018). Validation and application of an analysis method of four metabolites of nitrofurans in honey. Revista de Chimie, 69(10), 2808–2812. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.18.10.6629
Nabi, S. (2014). Toxic effects of mercury. Springer India. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1922-4
Nedelescu, M., Stan, M., Ciobanu, A.-M., Balălău, C., Filippini, T., & Baconi, D. (2022). Attention deficit among preschool and school-aged children living near former metal-processing plants in Romania. Environmental Research, 208, Article ID 112689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112689
Ortiz-Alvarado, Y., Clark, D. R., Vega-Melendez, C. J., Flores-Cruz, Z., Dominguez-Bello, M. G., & Giray, T. (2020). Antibiotics in hives and their effects on honey bee physiology and behavioral development. Biology Open, 9(11), bio053884. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.053884
Peng, J., Xie, W., Jiang, J., Zhao, Z., Zhou, F., & Liu, F. (2020). Fast quantification of honey adulteration with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and chemometric methods. Foods, 9(3), 341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9030341
Radio Free Europe. (2023). The sweet sting of success: Afghanistan's fledgling beekeeping industry stuck with glut of honey. Retrieved from https://www.rferl.org
Ranneh, Y., Nor, N. A. M., & Raba, R. (2021). The anticancer potential of honey: A comprehensive review. Food Science & Nutrition, 9(6), 2909–2917. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2272 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2272
Reybroeck, W. (2018). Residues of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in honey. Journal of Apicultural Research, 57(1), 97–112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2017.1338129
Se KuanWei, S. K., Roswanira Abdul Wahab, R. A. W., Syed Yaacob, S. N., & Sib Krishna Ghoshal, S. K. G. (2019). Detection techniques for adulterants in honey: challenges and recent trends.
Se, K. W., Wahab, R. A., Yaacob, S. N., & Ghoshal, S. K. (2019). Detection techniques for adulterants in honey: Challenges and recent trends. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2019.04.001
Seraglio, S. K. T., Schulz, M., Brugnerotto, P., Silva, B., Gonzaga, L. V., Fett, R., & Costa, A. C. O. (2021). Quality, composition, and health-protective properties of citrus honey: A review. Food Research International, 143, 110268. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110268
Silva, S., Santos, M. C., & Lima, S. (2016). Honey chemical composition and potential health benefits. Food Research International, 89, 6–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2016.08.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2016.08.014
Skaff, W., El Hajj, R., Hanna‐Wakim, L., & Estephan, N. (2022). Detection of adulteration in honey by infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics: Effect on human health. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 46(10), e15438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.15438
Slow Food Foundation. (2018). Nuristan honey - Ark of Taste. Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/nuristan-honey/
Soares, S., Amaral, J. S., Oliveira, M. B. P., & Mafra, I. (2017). A comprehensive review on the main honey authentication issues: Production and origin. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 16(5), 1072–1100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12278
Sotiropoulou, N. S., Xagoraris, M., Revelou, P. K., et al. (2021). The use of SPME-GC-MS, IR, and Raman techniques for botanical and geographical authentication and detection of adulteration of honey. Foods, 10(7), 1671. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10071671
Souza Tette, P. A., Rocha Guidi, L., Abreu Glória, M. B. de, & Fernandes, C. (2016). Pesticides in honey: A review on chromatographic analytical methods. Talanta, 149, 124–141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2015.11.045
The Sweet Secret of Afghanistan's Honey Bees. (2024). UNHCR. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/
Trifkovic, J., Andric, F., Ristivojevic, P., Guzelmeric, E., & Yesilada, E. (2017). Analytical methods in tracing honey authenticity. Journal of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists International, 100(4), 827–839. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.17-0142
Tysset, C. (1991). De Rantline de la Roy Durand C. Contribution to the study of intestinal microbial infection of healthy honeybees: Inventory of bacterial population by negative organisms. Philadelphia, PA: Department of Agriculture, SEA-AR, Eastern Region Research Centers.
Velicer, C. M. (2004). Antibiotic use in relation to the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association, 291(7), 827.
Velicer, C. M. (2004). Antibiotic use in relation to the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association, 291(7), 827. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.291.7.827
Walker, M. J., Cowen, S., Gray, K., Hancock, P., & Burns, D. T. (2022). Honey authenticity: The opacity of analytical reports - Part 1 defining the problem. npj Science of Food, 6(1), 11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-022-00126-6
Wang, S., Guo, Q., Wang, L., et al. (2015). Detection of honey adulteration with starch syrup by high performance liquid chromatography. Food Chemistry, 172, 669–674. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.044
Wang, Y., Dong, X., Han, M., et al. (2022). Antibiotic residues in honey in the Chinese market and human health risk assessment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 440, Article ID 129815. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129815
Weqar, S. M., Rahil, S., & Kadwal, M. H. (2024). Impacts of climate change on honey bee production in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan. Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences, 217–220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v3i02.205
World Bank. (2015, January 22). The taste of Afghan honey proves irresistible.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Javed Rahimi, Ayaz Khan Naseri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
