Don’t fall for diluted Manuka
YOU’D think a jar of Manuka only contains one thing, wouldn’t you? Pure Manuka honey from the beehive. But this is not true for all types of Manuka honey sold in the UK. Some brands will declare they are ‘New Zealand Manuka’ on the label. But below this it might also say ‘packed in the UK’. And that’s something the company may not want you to spot. In reality, it means their Manuka honey has probably been exported from New Zealand in giant metal drums. It then gets processed and packed in the UK. However, this can mean that the supply chain has been broken. Some dishonest companies have been caught diluting their Manuka with cheaper honey, sugar syrup or even chemicals after it has left New Zealand. In fact, up to half of all honey sold as Manuka may not be what it claims on the label. To ensure you’re getting the real, valuable product and are not being ripped off with a poor-quality imitation, first of all check that it meets the New Zealand government’s MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) standard and was packed there. That means it was sealed in a jar before leaving New Zealand and should be safe from adulteration. Check the MGO rating. This shows how much methylglyoxal, a natural compound with laboratory validated properties, it contains. The higher the number shown on the label, the greater the strength. For added confidence, look for suppliers that test their honey in an independent laboratory both in New Zealand and on arrival in the UK. The best suppliers test five times between the beekeeper collecting from the hive and you buying your jar. Lastly, does it have the ‘Packed in New Zealand, Hive to Home’ promise? Reputable honey sellers can trace any jar back to the beekeeper (left), as they keep records about every batch they sell. Check that the packaging promises this traceability. If it doesn’t, you cannot be confident that it’s been collected by New Zealand’s beekeepers and is genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.