Corporate report

Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AWMG) annual summary 2025

Updated 16 July 2026

The Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG) evaluates scientific research developed within Defra’s Food Authenticity Research Programme, ensuring methods developed are robust and advising on the wider application of methods.

This paper provides a summary of the group’s work in 2025. Activities include providing technical:

• direction on research to develop tools and methods for authenticity testing, throughout the lifecycle of projects
• advice on specific authenticity issues to inform and support policy development on food labelling, composition and standards

Project advice

In 2025, AMWG provided advice on the following projects:

Bottled water sampling project: composition of third country produced spring water and bottled drinking water

This project, delivered by Fera Science Ltd, aimed to provide data on the microbiological, radiological and chemical composition of a selection of third country (non-UK) produced spring waters and bottled drinking waters. The project has been completed, and the outputs are being reviewed.

Development and optimisation of methods for the detection and speciation of offal in meat products

This Fera Science Ltd. project built on recommendations from earlier work, which reviewed the landscape and future potential of existing and emerging offal detection methodologies.

The latest project began in May 2025 and aimed to develop, optimise, and undertake initial validation of 2 promising analytical methods for the detection and speciation of offal in meat products. The final outputs of this project are currently being reviewed.

British heritage sheep meat traceability system – proof of concept

This project, led by the National Sheep Association, aimed to investigate whether a digital blockchain traceability system, supported by mass spectrometry, could reliably verify claims about meat origin, including breed, age and geographical location.

The project focused initially on 3 native sheep breeds to test the concept. The final outputs of this project are currently being reviewed.

Fera Science UK Honey NMR database project

Fera Science and the UK Honey Association have developed a database of honey samples containing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of honey representative of the UK market.

This project aimed to assess the performance of the honey database for the detection of sugar syrup adulteration in honey. It compared the results of blind testing of spiked honey samples by NMR using different laboratories. The project also aimed to establish a harmonised reporting format for NMR testing of honey for authenticity. The final outputs of this project are currently being reviewed.

Developing a new testing methodology for honey authentication

This project was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and delivered by Cranfield University. It aimed to develop new honey authenticity testing methods. It explored 2 alternative methods for testing honey authenticity and focused on UK-origin honeys adulterated with sugar syrups. The first method employs Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) combined with machine learning, and the second technique uses DNA barcoding and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

The results of this project have now been published.

Review of current and emerging analytical methods for testing of oil for authenticity

This project was funded by FSA and delivered by Fera Science Ltd. It aimed to identify and review current and emerging methods to detect adulteration in edible oils, to analyse gaps in capability and knowledge, and make recommendations to support authenticity testing of edible oils in the future.

The project comprised a critical review of the relevant scientific literature, expert consultation, stakeholder engagement, review of proficiency testing data, and consultation of HorizonScan™ data to understand potential future risks.

The results have now been published.

Research consultation

In 2025, AMWG were consulted on and provided advice on two prospective research areas relating to:

• alternative proteins – focusing on i) verifying the authenticity of plant-based proteins (dairy and meat alternatives) and ii) assessing protein content across all categories of alternative protein products including applicability of existing analytical techniques
• folic acid in flour – focusing on availability and suitability of analytical methods for the detection and quantification of folic acid in non-wholemeal flour and the need for sampling and testing guidance to support monitoring and enforcement of the fortification requirements in legislation

AMWG secretariat

In 2025, the AMWG secretariat carried out a recruitment campaign for the role of chair that resulted in the appointment of Dr Simon Kelly as the new AMWG chair. The initial term of his recruitment will be 3 years. The secretariat would like to thank the previous chair, Selvarani Elahi MBE, for her 12 years of service in the role.