The Food Fraud Database, managed by Decernis, a globally recognised   compliance management company, has revealed alarming trends in food authenticity. It has reported that honey has emerged as the third most frequently counterfeited food item in the world, surpassed only by the often-falsified categories of milk and olive oil. This raises significant concerns about the integrity of food products that consumers rely on for both health and safety.

Counterfeit manufacturers often resort to deceptive practices that dilute the purity of genuine honey. Typically, they blend authentic honey with various plant-derived syrups, including high-fructose corn syrup or beet syrup. In some instances, these manufacturers might chemically manipulate the sugars found in these inexpensive syrups, altering them to closely resemble the unique flavor and composition of genuine honey. This not only misleads consumers but also poses risks to those who may have allergies or intolerances to the components used in these syrups.

Global Honey Fraud - By The Numbers

The actual prevalence of counterfeit honey remains a subject of contentious debate among researchers and industry experts. The Honey Authenticity Project asserts that a staggering 33% of honey products on the market are either fake or adulterated, highlighting the scale of this issue.

In a comprehensive study conducted in Australia in 2018, researchers discovered that 27% of the honey samples assessed were found to be fraudulent or contained various other ingredients that compromise their authenticity, further emphasizing the widespread nature of honey fraud.

In the European Union, a 2022 investigation spearheaded by the European Commission uncovered troubling findings: a shocking 46% of the honey samples subjected to scrutiny were suspected of being fraudulent. Notably, all ten honey samples from honey imported from the United Kingdom failed to meet authenticity standards. Although these products were packaged within the UK, they were predominantly imported, which complicates issues related to transparency and accountability in sourcing practices.

The European Commission’s rigor in assessing honey quality involved analysis of 320 different honey samples across 18 EU member states, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre. Among these samples, 147 were flagged as suspicious for containing evidence of added external sugar sources, casting a long shadow over the quality assurance processes for honey.

In the UK, testing conducted on honey varieties available in UK supermarkets has further indicated potential adulteration with sugars, a concern that was notably highlighted in 2020 by a German laboratory, which revealed that eight out of nine honey samples tested did not adhere to established quality standards. In 2022, the UK brought in over 38,000 tonnes of honey from China, its largest supplier. There are concerns about honey being mixed with sugar syrup there. Since country of origin labeling is not mandatory for products blended from various sources, many consumers are unaware that a low-cost jar of honey likely comes from China.

How does Manuka Fair?

The Answer is - It Depends on Where it is Packed

Manuka's authenticity hinges critically on the geographic provenance and the unique Manuka markers . The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand provides a rigorous definition, outlining that genuine mānuka honey must be produced from bees that collect nectar exclusively from the mānuka plant. Any mānuka honey slated for export must undergo meticulous testing in MPI-accredited laboratories to ensure it aligns with a strict definition characterized by five key attributes unique to this product.

However, the landscape outside New Zealand reveals a troubling lack of equivalent standards governing mānuka honey, creating a breeding ground for potential deception. The Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) conducted extensive testing on 46 different mānuka honey brands available in the UK and US markets that originated outside New Zealand. Alarmingly, every single tested product fell short of meeting New Zealand’s stringent standards for authentic mānuka honey.

A total of 82% failed the CODEX quality requirement of <40mg/kg HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural), 60% failed naturally occurring chemical 4-HPLA tests, and 80% contained no detectable leptospermum scoparium DNA. UMFHA found that 32% failed the potency label claim, which is importance since methylgoxal (MGO) – the ingredient within mānuka honey associated with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties – is what shoppers buy Manuka honey for.

How to make sure you are buying the real deal

Here at Wonder Honey we believe in an open book policy. What you see is what you get when it comes to our honey.

We test our honey for 25 different parameters to prove that it is genuine Manuka honey - this exceeds the NZ government definition and the UMFHA definition for what is Manuka.

We also exceed the international Codex standards for honey and we believe that our standard of honey is of the highest level tested in the industry

What you should look for to know you are getting the REAL DEAL Manuka

• Honey is packed in NZ
• Has a high level of MGO
• Has passed the NZ Government's 5 marker (including DNA) test
• Meets or exceeds FAO's Codex standards
• NZ Fernmark licence - to certify the honey has been packed in NZ