We stand by honey adulteration report: Centre for Science and Environment

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) stands by its findings on adulteration in various brands of honey, the advocacy group said on Thursday, reacting to leading brands Dabur and Patanjali, which have refuted the CSE report.
“Our findings have revealed that 10 out of 13 brands have failed all tests of purity. We stand by our report,” the CSE said.

It said the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lab reports available on Dabur’s website is a report of the Bruker equipment. “We would like to make the consumer aware that this is not a laboratory report which involves expert interpretation of the information,” CSE claimed in a statement.

“It could be important to include advanced testing in government systems that can help enforcement agencies to know if the honey sold to consumers is adulterated or not,” the CSE statement added.

On Wednesday, CSE alleged that ten leading Indian brands of honey including Dabur, Patanjali, Baidyanath, Zandu, Hitkari and Apis Himalaya are adulterated with sugar syrup, adding that the brands failed.

Dabur had said the report “seems motivated and aimed at maligning its brand”. The consumer goods company has released ads today aimed at addressing the purity of its honey. Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishan said the company “makes 100% natural honey which has tested pure on more than 100 standards laid down by FSSAI.''