A Tauranga beekeeper believes all manuka honey should be tested before being shipped overseas if buyers are to retain confidence in the industry.
Beekeeper and Apiflora NZ director Steve Weenink said the nationwide warning issued by Britain's Food Standards Agency about misleading and illegal claims made on the labels of manuka honey jars issued by Britain's Food Standards Agency could have a severe impact on the industry if things did not change.
New Zealand manuka honey commands prices 10 to 20 times higher than other types of honey because of its unique and much-vaunted anti-bacterial properties. It is estimated to earn this country up to $120 million a year in export dollars.
But tests by reputable United Kingdom, Chinese and Singaporean laboratories reveal many manuka honey products have none of the claimed active properties - some of the honey is not even manuka - prompting industry leaders to demand a crackdown on "potentially huge fraud".
"It should be tested before it leaves New Zealand. There's nothing you could do with what's being added overseas," Mr Weenink said.