From: Mike Rowbottom [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:30 AM

Dear all

I am wondering what HMF levels are achieved in the manufacture of
fondant used to feed honeybees.  A recipe widely used in the UK (from
Wedmore's "A Manual of Beekeeping") boils a sugar solution up to 117
degrees C (245 degrees F).  The heating time depends on the mass of
solution and the size of the heater; (10-12 lbs of sugar in 3lbs of
water on a domestic natural gas fired stove takes around 45 minutes),
but the subsequent cooling is rapid ( In this example perhaps another 10
minutes to nearly cold).

Extrapolation(always dangerous) of the data provided earlier by Bill T
suggests that at ~85 degrees C (185 deg. F) the rate of production of
HMF becomes huge, and enormous levels of HMF would be predicted for the
fondant.

Regards

Mike Rowbottom

HARROGATE
North Yorkshire
UK

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