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(From left) Dr Li Huan, Scientist, Centre for Complementary Health Products, School of Applied Science, Temasek Polytechnic; Mr Javier Lau, Co-Founder of Stingless Bee Factor; Dr Adrian Charlton, Principal Scientist at Fera Science Ltd (UK); Dr Goh Lay Beng, Director, School of Applied Science, Temasek Polytechnic; Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, Head of the Centre for Applied Nutrition Services & GIRU at Temasek Polytechnic; Ms Chen Yuan Ting, Senior Research Executive, Centre for Complementary Health Products, School of Applied Science, Temasek Polytechnic

Singapore, 7 July 2026 – A tripartite collaboration between Stingless Bee Factor Pte Ltd, Temasek Polytechnic and Fera Science Ltd (UK) to develop the world’s first certification framework for Stingless Bee Honey was unveiled today at the Stingless Bee Honey Global Symposium held at Temasek Polytechnic. The initiative marks a key step towards establishing international quality standards for the emerging honey category and positioning Singapore as a potential global reference point for future adoption and standardisation.

The global honey market is valued at more than US$10 billion annually, with premium honey categories such as Manuka honey demonstrating how scientific validation, certification and standards can transform agricultural products into high-value health and wellness products. Through scientific collaborations with Temasek Polytechnic and international partners, the

Stingless Bee Honey initiative seeks to contribute to the next generation of functional food and nutraceutical innovation.

As a Singapore-based company spearheading the global initiative, Stingless Bee Factor Pte Ltd’s growing international distribution network across these key markets creates opportunities to translate Singapore-led research, innovation, and product development into global commercial applications. This includes research contributions from Temasek Polytechnic’s Glycemic Index Research Unit (GIRU), whose work in nutrition research and accredited GI testing supports the scientific validation of Stingless Bee Honey.

Collectively, these efforts support future economic value creation for Singapore through international partnerships, market expansion and the commercialisation of Stingless Bee Honey products and related innovations.

Advancing Scientific Validation and Standards Development

Fera Science Ltd (UK), widely recognised as a leading authority in honey standards and scientific validation within the global honey industry, participates as a key international collaborator for the initiative.

Dr Adrian Charlton, Principal Scientist at Fera Science Ltd (UK), speaking about the importance of standards development.

“Scientific validation and standards development will play an increasingly important role in supporting the future development of emerging honey categories globally. As interest in Stingless Bee Honey continues to grow across international markets, the proposed certification framework represents an important step towards establishing clearer scientific reference points and quality parameters for the category. This can help support meaningful scientific comparison, research validation, and future understanding of the category’s potential nutritional and functional properties,” said Dr Adrian Charlton, Principal Scientist at Fera Science Ltd (UK).

Scientific Research and Functional Food Innovation

The growing scientific interest in Stingless Bee Honey stems from its potential antibacterial, antioxidant and LOW GI properties, which have prompted ongoing research into its possible applications within nutraceutical development.

As a key research collaborator, Temasek Polytechnic’s Glycemic Index Research Unit (GIRU), and Centre for Complementary Health Products (CCHP) explored these properties and their potential relevance to nutrition innovation, preventive health, and emerging nutraceutical applications.

Key findings presented included the validation of Stingless Bee Honey’s antibacterial properties, the confirmation of its antioxidant properties, and research supporting its low GI functionality. These findings contribute to growing interest in Stingless Bee Honey as a potential science-backed nutraceutical, supporting its repositioning from a traditional food product into an emerging category with broader health and commercial applications.

As the world’s first low GI Stingless Bee Honey, the product is particularly relevant amid rising diabetes rates worldwide and growing demand for healthier dietary alternatives. Discussions explored how low GI nutrition aligns with global public health priorities and ongoing efforts to promote healthier dietary habits.

Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, Head of the Centre for Applied Nutrition Services & GIRU at Temasek Polytechnic speaking at the symposium.

“As scientific interest continues to grow around functional foods and nutrition innovation, research and validation play an important role in strengthening understanding, credibility and potential applications within emerging food categories. Collaborations such as this also provide valuable opportunities for students to participate in applied research, work alongside industry and scientific experts, and gain exposure to emerging developments within food science and nutrition innovation,” highlighted Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, Head of the Centre for Applied Nutrition Services & GIRU at Temasek Polytechnic.

Advancing Singapore’s Role in Functional Food Innovation

As the industry lead behind this initiative, Stingless Bee Factor Pte Ltd has played a key role in bringing together international standards experts, researchers, and academic institutions to support the development of the proposed world’s first certification framework for Stingless Bee Honey and support adoption across international markets. Through these efforts, the initiative is expected to position Singapore as a global reference point for Stingless Bee Honey standards, strengthening the country’s role within the broader functional food and nutrition innovation ecosystem.

Mr Javier Lau, Co-Founder of Stingless Bee Factor giving a speech at the symposium.

“We believe Stingless Bee Honey has the potential to be recognised for much more than what it is traditionally known for today. We hope to elevate the honey from a traditional food product into a science-backed nutraceutical category and help redefine how it is viewed globally. In doing so, we hope to unlock greater value for consumers and the industry alike, while demonstrating how a Singapore-founded company can contribute to shaping the future of food innovation on the global stage,” shared Javier Lau, Co-Founder of Stingless Bee Factor Pte Ltd.

Jointly organised by Stingless Bee Factor Pte Ltd and Temasek Polytechnic, the symposium brought together researchers, international experts, industry stakeholders and strategic partners to explore the future of Stingless Bee Honey research, certification and functional food innovation.

The symposium serves as a lead-up platform ahead of the official launch event in Kuala Lumpur on 11 July 2026.

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