This document specifies a method for the determination of the ratio of stable isotopes of carbon (13C/12C) of sugars contained in honey by using liquid chromatography coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (LC-IRMS) for compound separation and subsequent determination of the 13C/12C ratio of mono-, di-, and trisaccharides. These ratios can be used to assess honey authenticity by comparing them to guidance values of genuine honey, which have been previously agreed by subject matter experts, as the 13C/12C ratios of sugars of genuine honey and sugars contained in adulterants (syrups made from starch-rich plants or from sugar cane or sugar beet) differ to a certain extent.
The compliance assessment process is not part of this document.