Austria tests DNA tests to discover honey scams

In a laboratory in Austria’s mountainous Tyrol state, scientists inspect about 100 honey samples a month to learn about their composition, and in some cases determine whether they are adulterous.

Two years ago, a small Austrian company Sinsoma began offering tests, as there are only a few European laboratories conducting such analyses.

“It’s really new to Honey Market,” said Corinna Wallinger, head of sales at Sinsoma.

Technology is essential to “always move forward.” Just like the counterfeiters do,” she added.

According to EU law, honey cannot contain ingredients such as water or inexpensive sugar syrup.

However, testing shows that it is a common practice.

Between 2021 and 2022, 46% of honey tested in the EU survey for entering the BLOC were flagged as potentially increasing from 14% to 14% for the 2015-17 period.

Of the suspicious commissions, 74% were of Chinese origin.

The beekeeper’s livelihood was threatened

In an attempt to better detect fraud, the Austrian Health and Food Safety Agency (AGES) used DNA testing for the first time this year and continues to evaluate results.

European supermarket chainspur also ordered a honey DNA test.

After passing a DNA test and another analysis, the chain kicked Honey out of the shelf for testing in Austria.

In addition to consumer misconduct, fake honey struggles to compete with much lower prices of imported honey, often blending from different countries and threatens the livelihoods of beekeepers who demand more effective testing.

“We have no chance at all,” said Matthias Kopetzki, owner of Wiener Vezilksimkerey, who carries up to 350 nest boxes in Vienna.

The European Union is the world’s leading honey producer after China, but it is also the second largest importer after the US.

According to EU data, most of the honey imports in the block come from Ukraine, China and Argentina.

The EU directive, adopted last year, stipulates that mid-2026 honey labels must not only refer to “EU and non-EU honey blends,” but also detail the country of origin.

Beekeepers like Kopetzky hope that the new rules will raise consumer awareness.

Brussels also established a group of professionals that are mandated until 2028 to “harmonize the way honey properties are detected and products are tracked by harvest producers or importers.”

The exact process

Austrian Sinsoma is specialized in DNA testing.

“Honey is full of information from the environment in which honeybees collect nectar. Every honey has a unique DNA profile,” Warlinger said.

If your honey sample does not have a wide range of DNA traces, or if, for example, bees contain a high percentage of DNA traces from rice or corn that are not frequent, this indicates that the honey is not authentic.

Co-founded by Wallinger in 2018, Sinsoma currently employs around 12 people working in a small laboratory and adjacent open office space in a quiet town near Innsbruck.

Sinsoma charges beekeepers 94 euros ($103) and targets basic DNA testing plants. This said half of the classic pollen tests usually cost.

For DNA profiles, beekeepers also get QR codes, allowing consumers to see exactly which plant species the honey bees they often make honey are.

Experts warn that DNA laws can detect certain types of fraud, not all, but of all, and that a rigorous verification process is required to ensure reliable results.

Wallinger recognized the need for standardization of methods, but said this would take time.

“That’s always a bit of a problem, and this also applies at the EU level,” she said.

“If you wait until you reveal fake honey using standardized methods, you’ll always be behind what the counterfeiters are doing.”

©2025 AFP