- Release Date: 27/08/13 12:15
- Summary: GENERAL: CVT: Comvita Backs Industry Quality Standard For Manuka Honey.
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CVT 27/08/2013 10:15 GENERAL REL: 1015 HRS Comvita Limited GENERAL: CVT: Comvita Backs Industry Quality Standard For Manuka Honey. Recent media coverage in the UK Sunday Times showed 11 out of 23 Manuka honey brands failed to demonstrate any non-peroxide (UMF) activity, when independently tested. As highlighted in the UK story, Comvita's UMF 10+ Manuka honey was one of the products that was true to label. Comvita is licensed to use the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) quality mark, a system backed by an industry quality standard, independent audits and a network of accredited laboratories around the world. Comvita has built a global reputation over 39 years for delivering products of the highest integrity to our consumers. "The UMF quality mark has been in use for 18 years and has become recognised by New Zealand based marketers as the industry standard", says Comvita CEO Brett Hewlett. "The majority of New Zealand consumer exporters including Comvita belong to the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), however there are still parts of the industry working outside of this standard or using other number systems, and that leads to confusion amongst consumers and regulators. Use of the UMF trademark is open to all New Zealand-based marketers if they meet the standard, so if the companies are not licensees, consumers should wonder why." "Calling it 'Active' does not inform the consumer about the type of honey or its respective health benefits. For example, it is possible to purchase brown honey, pack it in a jar, put an 'Active' label on it and pass it off as Manuka honey," says Hewlett. "The UMF versus 'Active' issue is one we have long believed undermines the significant latent value that still resides in this industry and Comvita has been actively working with UMFHA to resolve this issue." Comvita Chief Technical Officer Dr. Ralf Schlothauer says, "Although all honey contains peroxide activity, only authentic Manuka honey contains non-peroxide activity, aka the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). The UMF standard is based on the phytochemicals specific to Manuka honey that gives Manuka its unique properties. If it doesn't comply with this UMF standard, it is not Manuka honey. " Dr. Schlothauer says, "There is a compelling body of published research demonstrating the effectiveness of Manuka honey in treating external wounds with over 120 research papers covering the use of Comvita medical grade Medihoney in woundcare. Comvita's Medihoney brand is now the seventh largest woundcare brand in the world. Comvita Medihoney uses medical grade UMF Manuka honey. The modes of action; antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulation are all understood to work in a similar fashion when taken internally. Our consumers in Asia in particular, use UMF Manuka honey for this purpose." "Manuka honey has grown in popularity as consumers discover the benefits of this natural health food. Authentic UMF Manuka honey has also been anecdotally reported to help relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds and provide digestive health benefits," says Dr. Schlothauer. Mr Hewlett says, "Comvita is committed to working with the industry, Government and other regulators to gain total industry acceptance of the UMFHA standard based upon solid science." # Ends # For further information, please contact: Comvita Chairman, Neil Craig, 021 731 509 Comvita CEO, Brett Hewlett, 021 740 160 Comvita Communications Manager, Julie Chadwick, 021 510 693 Background About Comvita (www.comvita.co.nz) Comvita is an international natural health and beauty company committed to the development of innovative products, backed by credible scientific research. We are the global leader in Manuka (leptospermum) honey and fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract, which are at the core of the Comvita product range. We have more than 35,000 beehives under contract and direct control with more than 5000 producing specialist medical-grade Manuka honey. Comvita's Olive Leaf Extract is grown, harvested, extracted and bottled at the world's largest specialised olive leaf grove, with over 580,000 olive trees. Comvita sells into more than 18 countries through a network of wholesale and third-party outlets and online. We have offices in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. End CA:00240228 For:CVT Type:GENERAL Time:2013-08-27 10:15:00
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