Ann: GENERAL: CVT: Comvita Backs Industry Quality

• Release Date: 27/08/13 12:15
• Summary: GENERAL: CVT: Comvita Backs Industry Quality Standard For Manuka Honey.
• Price Sensitive: No
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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