Technical Documentation
Organic Honey Specifications
Export-grade quality parameters aligned with Codex Alimentarius, EU, and USDA import requirements.
NPOP & USDA Organic
15+ Export Markets
Batch Traceability
Third-Party Lab Tested
APEDA Registered
Global Shipping
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Technical Data Sheet
Complete specification document for your quality team and import compliance review.
Physical
Physical Characteristics
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture Content | ≤ 18.6% (Codex Alimentarius) | Refractometry at 20°C |
| Color (Pfund Scale) | Water White to Dark Amber (variety-dependent) | USDA Pfund Grader / Lovibond |
| Flavor | Characteristic of floral source; free from off-flavors | Organoleptic panel evaluation |
| Aroma | Typical of origin variety; no fermentation or smoke notes | Organoleptic evaluation |
| Texture | Smooth, free-flowing or naturally crystallized; no grittiness | Visual and tactile inspection |
| Appearance | Clear to opalescent; free from visible foreign matter | Visual inspection at 40× magnification |
Chemical
Chemical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Fructose | ≥ 38% (typical 38–45%) | HPLC / AOAC 977.20 |
| Glucose | ≥ 28% (typical 28–35%) | HPLC / AOAC 977.20 |
| Sucrose | ≤ 5.0% (≤ 10% for certain monofloral) | HPLC / AOAC 977.20 |
| HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) | ≤ 40 mg/kg (EU); ≤ 80 mg/kg (Codex export) | HPLC-UV / AOAC 980.23 |
| Acidity (Free) | ≤ 50 meq/kg | Titrimetry / AOAC 962.19 |
| Conductivity | ≤ 0.8 mS/cm (floral honey); higher for certain forest varieties | Conductivity meter at 20°C |
| Diastase Activity | ≥ 8 Schade units (EU export minimum) | Phadebas method / AOAC 958.09 |
| Water Insoluble Solids | ≤ 0.1 g/100g | Gravimetric filtration |
Microbiological
Microbiological Parameters
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1,000 CFU/g | ISO 4833-1 |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g | ISO 21527-1 / ISO 21527-2 |
| Coliforms | Absent in 1g | ISO 4832 |
| Salmonella spp. | Absent in 25g | ISO 6579-1 |
| E. coli | Absent in 1g | ISO 16649-2 |
| Clostridium botulinum spores | Not detected (infant-grade on request) | ISO 7932 |
Safety
Residue Testing & Contaminants
Antibiotics
Method: LC-MS/MS multi-residue screening
- Chloramphenicol — Not detected (≤ 0.3 µg/kg)
- Streptomycin — Not detected (≤ 10 µg/kg)
- Tetracyclines — Not detected (≤ 10 µg/kg)
- Sulfonamides — Not detected (≤ 10 µg/kg)
- Nitrofurans — Not detected
Pesticides
Method: GC-MS/MS & LC-MS/MS multi-residue panel (200+ compounds)
- Organophosphates — Below EU MRL / Not detected
- Organochlorines — Below EU MRL / Not detected
- Neonicotinoids — Below EU MRL / Not detected
- Glyphosate & AMPA — Below detection limits
Heavy Metals
Method: ICP-MS / AAS per Codex and EU limits
- Lead (Pb) — ≤ 0.1 mg/kg
- Cadmium (Cd) — ≤ 0.05 mg/kg
- Mercury (Hg) — ≤ 0.03 mg/kg
- Arsenic (As) — ≤ 0.1 mg/kg
Authenticity
Method: EA-IRMS / Melissopalynology / NMR (optional)
- C4 Sugar Adulteration — Negative (≤ 7% external sugars)
- Pollen Analysis — Consistent with declared floral origin
- NMR Profiling — Available on request for EU buyers
Notes
Specification Notes
- Specifications are representative of export-grade organic honey. Final parameters vary by monofloral variety and destination market requirements.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) is provided with every shipment, including batch number, production date, and best-before date.
- Additional testing per buyer specification — including 500+ pesticide panel, glyphosate, and NMR profiling — available on request.
- Infant-grade specifications with enhanced Clostridium botulinum and moisture limits available for specialized applications.
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