Honey is one of the most counterfeited foods in the world, where pure honey is often mixed with cheaper syrups or artificial additives. This significantly harms honest beekeepers, as the value of their work decreases in the market, and consumers find it harder to distinguish genuine honey from fake products.

Estonian scientists have developed a unique DNA metagenomic analysis method that detects the presence of DNA traces from 10,000 different plant, bacterial, fungal, insect, mammal, or other species in a honey sample.

Based on the honey’s DNA profile, the quality, authenticity, and geographical origin of honey can be assessed. Every honey has a unique composition and does not fully resemble any other honey. Authentic and naturally diverse honeys’ DNA profiles have certain common patterns, and changes or manipulations in the DNA profile of honey are easily detectable.