Concentration of Oxytetracycline in Capilano’s pure and natural honey from Australia was 151 μg/kg 
15 times the EIC standard, but within the Australian standard of 300 μg/kg for Oxytetracycline in honey, 
in Nectaflor Natural Blossom Honey from Switzerland was 112 μg/kg, 11 times the EIC standard

Chloramphenicol was also detected in both the imported samples at a level of 3.6 μg/kg in
Capilano’s honey (Australia) and at a level of 3.7 μg/kg in Nectaflor Natural Blossom Honey
(Switzerland), 12 times higher than the EIC standard.

Ampicillin was detected in Nectarflor Natural Blossom Honey (Switzerland) at a concentration
of 614.2 μg/kg. There is no level of action given by EIC for beta lactam class. Ampicillin, is
therefore, an unauthorized and illegal substance in honey.

Enrofloxacin was detected in 83% of the samples -10 out of 12 samples analysed. The average concentration
ranged from 10.9 to 144.8 μg/kg, the highest amount being present in Capilano’s Pure &
Natural Honey (Imported brand).The average concentration of enrofloxacin detected in
domestic samples was- Dabur Honey -88.7 μg/kg, Himalaya forest Honey - 63.8 μg/kg and
Patanjalis Pure Honey - 75.1 μg/kg and Umang Honey 122.1 μg/kg.

It is clear from the results that 11 out of the 12 samples of honey analyzed were non
compliant with EIC standard for honey to be exported for antibiotics. Multiple antibiotics were
detected in all domestic and imported brands of honey tested- except Hitkari Honey of Hitkari
Pharmacy, Delhi was found to be free of antibiotics. Highest number of antibiotics - 5 out of 6
were detected in imported Nectaflor Natural Blossom Honey, followed by Patanjalis Pure
honey which had 4 antibiotics. The number of antibiotics in other brands was 3 each in Dabur,
Himalaya Forest and Khadi Honey, 2 each in Mehsons Pure Honey, Himflora Gold, Umang
Honey and Baidyanath Wild flower Honey. No antibiotic was detected in Hitkari Honey. Three
antibiotics were detected in imported brand from Australia (Capilano Pure and Natural Honey)

Johnson, S., Jadon, N., Mathur, H. B., & Agarwal, H. C. (2010). Antibiotic residues in honey.

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