FILTH-TEST ASSESSMENT OF HONEY QUALITY

Within the frame of an investigation carried out to assess the quality of commercial honey in Italy, 59 pots of extracted honey were bought in the towns of Ceva, Mondovì, Montezemolo, Bagnasco, Garessio, and Murazzano (province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Northwest Italy) in local markets, shops, and small and big supermarkets. Moisture and water-insoluble contents were determined for each sample. For the latter analysis, cellulose acetate membranes with 0.45 μm porosity were used, thus separating and keeping all solid extraneous material along with pollen grains and wax and propolis particles usually present in honey. Filter membranes were observed at a dissecting microscope for a qualitative assessment of filth; when in doubt or in the most interesting cases, the relevant membrane pieces were mounted for scanning electron microscopy observation. Six honey samples out of the 59 tested had a moisture content above 18%, but none exceeded the limit of 20% fixed by the EU Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to honey. Only one sample had a water-insoluble content above the 0.1g/100g as indicated in the same directive. Rodent hairs, mites, insect fragments, textile fibres, plastic material debris, and coal residues were identified among the extraneous material found in the honey samples. The results point out that most beekeepers should pay more attention to possible honey contamination ways and modify consequently their extraction and packing procedures, so as to avoid the presence of extraneous materials and thus increasing honey quality.