Manuka Honey Warning from FSA

The organisation is saying that jars of cheaper, lower quality honey are being labelled and passed off as manuka.

Around 1,700 tonnes of manuka honey is produced in New Zealand each year, but an estimated 1,800 tonnes is sold annually in the UK alone. The total amount sold worldwide is thought to be around 10,000 tonnes.

The FSA said all trading standards authorities had been “asked to make sure anyone selling manuka honey is aware that they must fully comply with the law”.

Nikki Kaye, food safety minister at the FSA, added, “Part of the difficulty lies in no common international definition for manuka honey and a lack of clarity of appropriate scientific markers.”

She has called for the introduction of an international guideline to help clarify labelling issues.

In a statement, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said it was aware of “a variety of claims about manuka honey and is actively working with industry to resolve any issues and provide clarity for producers and consumers.

“As part of this process, MPI is currently working with industry representatives to develop guidance that addresses labelling of manuka honey.”