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Letter to the Editor – Waikato Times (24 February 2009)

24 February 2009

The Editor

Waikato Times

Dear Sir,

In the article ‘New rules for comb honey draconian’ (Tuesday, February 17) you reported the views of a single beekeeper who, from what was printed, appears reluctant to take even the simplest precautions to ensure his product won’t poison anyone.

A balanced report would have included comment from industry representative bodies, The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (not Food Standards Authority as referred to in your editorial) as the standard setting agency, and some of the most seriously affected victims of poisoning who I’m sure would not share this beekeeper’s views.

The standard referred to in the article has been developed in close consultation with industry representatives after a very serious poisoning incident and the finding of tutin in a number of honey samples from other parts of the country.

Comb honey produced in some areas in New Zealand is likely to become contaminated with tutin, which has in the past caused serious illnesses and even death.

Beekeepers that produce comb honey are required to check the areas they collect honey from for tutu. If there are significant quantities of tutu present, they either need to harvest the comb honey before the end of December each year, or check weekly for honeydew on representative tutu bushes from 1 January until they harvest their honey.

If honeydew is found before the comb honey is harvested, the honey cannot be sold as comb honey. Instead it must be extracted, thoroughly mixed and tested for tutin. If proven safe it can be sold as liquid honey.

These precautions are simple to take and effective if applied diligently. It is clear that some in the industry have not been following such practices voluntarily. Consequently, it has been necessary to make such precautions mandatory to ensure the public are safe and our export markets are protected.

Yours sincerely

Andrew McKenzie

Chief Executive, New Zealand Food Safety Authority