In recent years, the honey industry has faced a growing issue that’s catching the attention of consumers across Europe: a flood of fake honey infiltrating the market. This isn’t just a minor problem—it’s raising serious concerns about quality and authenticity. A recent investigation by the Active Consumers organization found that half of the honey brands tested failed to meet essential quality standards.

Specifically, these products were found lacking when it came to the required benchmarks for water content, electrical conductivity, HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) levels, diastase activity, and proline content. To break it down, natural honey should have a water content of less than 20%, electrical conductivity below 0.8 mS/cm, HMF levels no higher than 40 mg/kg, diastase activity of at least 8 Gote units, and a proline content not less than 180 mg/kg. When these standards aren’t met, the honey you’re buying may not be as pure as you think.

So how exactly is honey being faked? There are two main methods used to adulterate honey. The first is dilution, where glucose-fructose syrup is added to increase the volume while cutting down production costs. This type of honey may look convincing, but it lacks the nutritional and chemical makeup of the real thing. The second method is premature harvesting. In an effort to speed up production, some producers remove honey from hives before it’s fully ripened. This leads to higher water content and significantly lower quality. Both practices result in a product that doesn’t meet the recognized standards of genuine honey, but unfortunately, these imposters often make their way to store shelves where unsuspecting consumers scoop them up.

Naturally, many people wonder if there’s a way to spot fake honey at home. The internet is full of DIY tests claiming to separate real honey from the fakes, but how trustworthy are these methods?

One popular trick is the napkin test. The idea is that if you place a drop of honey on a napkin, real honey will stay put while fake honey will spread and create a wet ring. While this test can offer a hint about the honey’s water content, it’s not foolproof. Certain genuine honeys, like acacia, are naturally more liquid and may spread even though they’re pure. Another test involves shaking honey under water to see if it forms hexagon shapes. Some claim that real honey does this because of its natural structure. Unfortunately, this is a myth with no scientific backing—honey, regardless of its authenticity, tends to just sink and dissolve slowly.

Then there’s the idea that ants avoid real honey. The theory is that since bees make honey, they add something that repels ants. But that’s not how it works. Ants are drawn to sugar, and honey—real or fake—is packed with it. There’s no special ingredient in pure honey that makes it unappealing to ants. Finally, there’s the test involving density and dissolution. Real honey is said to be thick, dissolve slowly in water, and contain a sluggish air bubble when the jar is flipped. While this test can provide a clue, it’s not entirely reliable. Different types of honey have different consistencies, and some varieties are naturally more fluid than others.

So what’s the final takeaway? Unfortunately, there’s no definitive home test that can guarantee the honey you’re using is 100% pure. This is part of the reason why honey remains one of the most frequently adulterated food products in the world—right up there with milk and olive oil. With counterfeiting methods becoming more advanced, even experts sometimes struggle to tell the difference. These fakes often look and taste just like the real thing, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to know what they’re really getting. To protect yourself, the best thing you can do is buy honey from trusted sources, look for certifications, and avoid products with suspiciously low prices. As tempting as it may be to try those DIY tests, they can’t replace proper lab analysis or regulated labeling. Until stronger measures are in place to regulate honey production and labeling, being an informed shopper is your best defense against getting fooled by fake honey.