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Toxic honey information for beekeepers and apiarists

25 March 2008

Dear

Following the recent events surrounding the sale of toxic honey in the Coromandel region all apiarists/beekeepers are reminded of their responsibilities and obligations under the Animal Products Act and Food Act when selling honey products to the public. Food for sale must be safe to eat.

Please be vigilant about harvesting and selling honey, particularly comb honey. Beekeepers or apiarists are required to manage the risk of their honey containing tutin by ensuring:

• honey and other bee products are not harvested from beehives in areas where it is likely that the resulting product will be contaminated with harmful levels of phytotoxins of the native plant tutu (Coriaria arborea)

• if operating under the Animal Products Act, they retain records to demonstrate that the requirements of relevant animal product regulations have been met.

Any honey harvested since December 2007 in the Coromandel Peninsula, Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Marlborough Sounds area is at risk of containing the tutin toxin. Honey suppliers in these areas must monitor the tutu, vine hopper and foraging conditions in the area (3km radius) around the apiary while honey is being produced and confirm that tutin is not in the harvesting area before providing product for sale.

Under the Food Standards Code the label on honey products must have the name and address of the honey supplier listed.

New Zealand Food Safety Authority is conducting an investigation into recent events and will be working with industry to assess current industry practices.

A fact sheet on toxic honey and the tutin poison is attached for your information.

Advice for customers

If any of your customers complain of illness affecting them or their family or friends as a result of consuming honey please advise them to seek medical advice immediately and to contact their district health board, 0800 276 216.

If you have any questions regarding toxic honey contact Jim Sim New Zealand Food Safety Authority Senior Programme Manager (Animal Products) 04 894 2609, or your local AsureQuality apiculture advisory officer 0508 00 11 22.

Yours sincerely

Jim Sim

Senior Programme Manager (Animal Products)

New Zealand Food Safety Authority