ADQCC and M42 Showcase Central Testing Laboratory’s Honey Testing Expertise at the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction 2026
M42, a global health leader powered by artificial intelligence (AI), technology and genomics, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), is showcasing the honey testing expertise of the Central Testing Laboratory (CTL) at the fifth edition of the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction, taking place from 16 to 25 October 2026 in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra. Through this joint participation, ADQCC & M42 are highlighting how advanced scientific testing supports honey quality, strengthens confidence in locally produced products and contributes to the growth of the UAE’s agricultural and food sectors.
As part of the festival’s honey competitions, CTL is providing independent laboratory testing of submitted samples to assess their quality and compliance with recognized standards. These assessments provide an objective, science-based foundation for evaluating competition entries, supporting transparency and fairness while reinforcing confidence among local beekeepers, honey producers and consumers.
H.E. Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director, Central Testing Laboratory, ADQCC, said: "Honey production is an important part of the UAE’s agricultural heritage and a sector with significant potential for growth. Through our partnership with M42, we are strengthening the scientific infrastructure that supports local producers and helps ensure their products meet internationally recognized quality standards. Our participation at the Al Dhafra Dates Festival demonstrates the importance of independent laboratory testing in fostering transparency, building consumer confidence and supporting the continued development and competitiveness of the local honey industry."
CTL's testing activities at official events have supported the assessment of hundreds of honey samples. In 2025, the laboratory received 299 samples and conducted 912 tests.
CTL’s participation builds on the launch of the Honey Quality Laboratory in 2024, established through the partnership between ADQCC and M42 to support the quality, safety and authenticity of honey products. Supported by M42’s Environmental Sciences platform, the laboratory uses advanced analytical technologies to assess key quality indicators, including sugar composition and profile, moisture levels and acidity, as well as detecting potential contaminants and adulteration. These capabilities help producers demonstrate product quality and meet recognized standards, supporting efforts to strengthen the positioning of local honey in both the UAE and international markets.
Ahmed Al Mehiri, General Manager, Environmental Sciences at M42, said: "At M42, we believe advanced science has an important role to play in strengthening the quality and resilience of the products and industries that communities depend on. Our work with ADQCC demonstrates how environmental sciences and laboratory expertise can deliver practical value, from helping producers validate the quality of their honey to giving consumers greater confidence in the products they choose. By combining scientific excellence with advanced technologies, we are helping translate laboratory insights into meaningful outcomes for producers, consumers and the wider community."
The festival, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, provides an important platform to celebrate the UAE’s agricultural heritage, showcase local products and support knowledge exchange among producers. Its honey competitions include categories for local Sidr and Samar honey, alongside liquid, crystallized and honeycomb varieties. By supporting these competitions, CTL is demonstrating how scientific quality assurance can complement traditional production practices, helping producers build trust in their products and supporting the continued growth of the local honey industry.
The initiative also reflects the broader collaboration between M42 and ADQCC to advance scientific testing and quality assurance across food, agriculture and environmental sciences, applying advanced laboratory capabilities to support consumer confidence, public health and the UAE’s wider economic development.
Visitors to the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction are invited to visit the ADQCC and M42 team at Stand No. 3 to explore CTL’s honey-testing capabilities and discover how scientific testing supports honey quality and strengthens the local honey industry. They can also submit honey samples for testing during the festival, with results available within seven days.
