Manuka honey company fights back against knock-offs

  • 04/08/2018

A Kiwi manuka honey producer is fighting back against people selling “knock-off’ versions of the product.

Midlands Apiaries, the developers of the PURITI manuka honey brand, has created a new type of packaging that is almost impossible to copy.

New legislation was introduced in February this year, tightening laws on the export of manuka honey.

This was done to attempt to curb the export of fake or low-grade manuka honey.

However, the company says the same restrictions are not enforced locally.

"The fact that it wasn't carried out across New Zealand at exactly the same time is a real shame," says Adam Boot, international brand manager for Midlands Apiaries.

Testing criteria for products sold locally is lower than that of products being sent overseas, Mr Boot says.

“We want the consumer to know they have a choice they can trust every time,” he told RadioLIVE.

"The objective is to ensure that when the consumer chooses manuka, they have access to the real deal, with guaranteed testing tougher than the legislative requirements."

Watch the full interview with Adam Boot above.

Rural Exchange with Hamish McKay, Sarah Perriam and Richard Loe, 5-7am Saturday and Sunday on RadioLIVE