FSSAI Clarifies: Honey with High HMF Will Be Labelled ‘Substandard,’ Not ‘Unsafe’0

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• November 11, 2025

Key Update The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that analysts must label honey samples with Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) above the permitted limit as “substandard” and not “unsafe.” Officials noticed that analysts had been classifying such samples differently, which prompted the clarification. Clause 2.8.3(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards