M42 and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council launch UAE’s first Honey Quality Laboratory

 M42, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), has launched the UAE’s first and only fully equipped honey testing laboratory at the Central Testing Laboratory (CTL). This state-of-the-art facility, Honey Quality Laboratory, is supported by M42’s Environmental Sciences team and is designed to ensure the quality, safety and authenticity of honey products, setting new standards for the industry.

The Honey Quality Laboratory is equipped to test a variety of factors, ensuring that honey products are free from additives and other contaminants. It will also verify the unique characteristics of different honey types, such as the popular Abu Dhabi Sidr honey, and assess sugar content, moisture levels and acidity to ensure compliance with international standards.

Honey, a natural sweetener valued for its health benefits and medicinal properties, is more than a popular household staple. When asked about the proposed impact of the laboratory, H.E Engineer Abdulla Al Muaini, Executive Director, Central Testing Laboratory at Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council said, “Honey holds significant cultural and economic value in the UAE, similar to the importance of dates. By establishing this advanced testing facility with M42, we aim to support local producers and enhance the market positioning of Abu Dhabi honey on a global scale. Our efforts contribute to the broader goals of the ADQCC in maintaining high quality and conformity standards. This initiative ensures that local and international standards are met, fostering trust and confidence among consumers and stakeholders.”

The laboratory uses state-of-the-art technology, enabled by proprietary data and an AI-enhanced Lab Information Management System (LIMS). This ensures efficient, accurate and optimized testing processes. The specialized team of experts perform a wide range of tests to assess honey quality, from unique genetically modified organism-testing mechanisms, to detecting any form of adulteration the honey might have undergone. 

Albarah Elkhani, Senior Vice President, Operations, M42 said, “M42’s partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council is an example of how public-private partnerships are accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption in the UAE. By leveraging advanced technology and scalable capabilities, we are not only contributing to the local economy and national goals, but we’re also setting a benchmark for global applicability. M42 focuses on people, not just patients; health, not just healthcare; prevention, not just treatment,”

He added, “Our ‘One Health’ approach highlights the vital connection between planet and human health. By ensuring high-quality standards in products like honey, we indirectly support biodiversity and look to safeguard the health of people, communities, and ecosystems alike.”

M42’s collaboration with ADQCC is underpinned by a 10-year agreement, signed at COP28, to enhance the CTL laboratories in Abu Dhabi. This partnership supports various government entities, including the Abu Dhabi Food Safety Authority, providing critical testing services that ensure public health and safety.

Dr. Wael Elamin, Medical Director, Environmental Sciences, M42 said, “As part of M42’s comprehensive environmental testing services, we specialize in testing non-human elements that directly or indirectly impact public health. Our partnership with ADQCC enables us to enhance testing capabilities and optimize operations utilizing AI solutions, providing critical insights and vital data to government agencies, businesses and consumers. Our honey testing service is a key component of our food and beverage testing portfolio, making us the leading, and only, lab in the region with such holistic and fully equipped testing capabilities to provide real-time insights for decision-makers.”

M42 optimizes Central Testing Laboratory operations utilizing AI, with the goal of strengthening current testing and conformity services in areas such as food and beverages, water, medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, agriculture, packaging materials, food contact materials, radiation and environmental checks. 

M42 also recognizes the vital role bees play in sustaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating the climate crisis. Honeybees are a key part of the ecosystem and are crucial for pollination, supporting biodiversity and the overall health of the environment and planet. By ensuring the quality and authenticity of honey, M42 indirectly contributes to the sustainability of beekeeping practices and the protection of this critical species, honey producers and the region’s entire ecosystem.