Nine packs of potentially lethal honey still missing

The case of a man who fell violently ill in February after eating the honey suggests a wider problem. Photo / Herald on Sunday

At least nine containers of comb honey suspected of containing a potentially lethal toxin remain unaccounted for, the Food Safety Authority says.

But this only relates to Projen Apiaries comb honey from the Coromandel Peninsula released for sale in the past two weeks.

There are indications the investigation into the honey - produced by Whangamata hobby apiarist Kevin Prout, who withdrew it from sale on Saturday - may be extended further back because an earlier sufferer has come forward.

Food safety Authority emergency response director Trish Pearce confirmed today the authority was investigating the apiary and one option was a prosecution under the Food Act and the Animal Products Act although she said that would depend on the investigation.

She said the owner of Projen Apiaries was believed to be new to the industry and in his first season.

Ms Pearce said all people who sold honey on the local market had to ensure they managed the risk associated with the tutin toxin.

She said for the toxin to spread there had to be good populations of the tutu plant.

"When it is dry and there is a lot less food sources for bees around, the bees start eating honey dew produced by insects sucking on plants.

"These little vine hoppers which live on tutu, if their numbers increase a lot and there is a lot of them around, they are sucking on tutu and producing the honey dew which the bees then feed on."

She said when it was dry the bees looked for an alternative food source and there were a lot of tutu bushes around the Coromandel area.

Beekeepers were well generally aware of the issue.

She said the owner of the Projen Apiaries may not have "cottoned on" to the issue.

She said if the investigation found he had not met the requirements under either of the two Acts there may be grounds for a prosecution.

Health authorities have asked purchasers of the comb honey, sold in 300g plastic containers at three shops in Whangamata, to give it to them for testing, or wrap it securely in plastic and put it in the rubbish.

They have also warned people to check the safety of any comb honey produced on the Coromandel this summer before eating it, by contacting the supplier, through the vendor if necessary.

Laboratory testing of the Projen honey for the food authority is expected to begin tomorrow. Officials suspect the honey contains a high level of tutin toxin, which can be fatal and can cause vomiting, seizures and coma.