Manuka honey gets legal definition to safeguard product's reputation

December 12, 2017

The Ministry of Primary Industries has today announced a chemical and DNA definition for Manuka honey, to protect its trade reputation overseas.

A legal definition for New Zealand's renowned manuka honey has today been released by the Ministry for Primary Industries to safeguard the industry from cowboy operators and protect its trade reputation.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor released the definition today which will be based on five markers, four chemical and one DNA, before it can be sold overseas as manuka.

"This is an important step in safeguarding the value of our manuka trade and our reputation for selling high-quality products that are what they say they are," Mr O'Connor said in a statement.

"Our trade partners and consumers in many countries want to know they are getting the real deal and this definition will provide them that assurance.

"If we didn't introduce this standard then other countries may have forced one on us."

The definition was derived by testing on hundreds of plants and honey samples, producing scientific findings that were peer reviewed by international experts.

"While there is debate within the honey industry about the best way to define manuka, there is no argument that a definition is required to protect the honey's long-term export trade," Mr O'Connor said.

"I ask the industry to keep working with us to protect this valuable product and ensure its future."

Mr O'Connor said the Ministry of Primary Industries has recently filed charges against a company and two persons over the alleged adulteration of honey products they were selling.

"The definition will help stop that kind of activity, which undermines our reputation across the whole food export chain," Mr O'Connor said.


 

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