Manuka Honey What is Manuka Honey and why is it special? Manuka Honey is sourced from New Zealand’s remote, pollution free forests and is renowned for its unique flavor and health benefits. The bees feed off the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium) which has delicate pink or white flowers and is native to New Zealand. While we have been aware for centuries of the antibacterial properties of all types of honey, laboratory studies have shown that Manuka Honey has an especially remarkable property, found only in the Leptospermum species. This has been called the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF®. UMF® Manuka Honey is totally natural and has been enjoyed for its own unique flavor for many years. Why UMF® Manuka Honey?
Laboratory studies have shown that UMF® Manuka Honey is effective against a wide range of bacteria. UMF® stands for ‘Unique Manuka Factor’, a measure of the unique type of activity which is naturally present at varying levels in honey made from the nectar of the Manuka bush, native to New Zealand. UMF® Manuka Honey, the type of Manuka Honey which has a high enough level of this antibacterial property to warrant carrying the UMF® trademark, is highly sought-after. UMF® is the registered name and trademark of UMFHA (Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association) and can be used only by licensed users who meet set criteria which includes the monitoring and auditing of honey quality. The New Zealand honey industry (UMFHA) has registered UMF® as a trademark to ensure the activity of Manuka Honey cannot be misrepresented. What to look for
The UMF® trademark was registered to help consumers ensure they are not purchasing Manuka Honeys with little or no antibacterial activity. Consumers generally choose Manuka Honey: • •
As With a
a UMF®
food logo and
for rating for
its unique its health maintaining
flavour. effects.
To carry the UMF® brand, the manufacturer or owner of the brand must hold a current UMF® license with UMFHA (Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association). In addition, genuine UMF® Manuka Honey complies with all five of the following criteria: •
UMF®
is
clearly
stated
on
the
front
label.
• It is packed into jars and labeled in New Zealand. • It is from a New Zealand company licensed by UMFHA to use the name UMF®. • It has the UMF® licensee’s name on the front label. ® • It has a rating of UMF 5+ or more. Trust Comvita
Comvita is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of premium quality UMF® Manuka Honey. The Comvita brand is well-known and trusted by retailers and consumers around the world for its high quality, effective natural health products. Manuka Honey is one of the world’s most trusted brands of Manuka Honey. A commitment to quality
As a licensed user of the UMF® brand, Comvita is required to meet criteria set by the official industry body UMFHA. UMFHA undertakes regular monitoring, on-site audits and in-market random sampling to ensure Manuka Honey carrying the UMF® mark is true to label. Every batch of Comvita UMF® Honey is independently tested and certified to contain the special UMF® antibacterial activity level as indicated on the label. Comvita’s quality control technicians further test every batch for flavor, color and aroma. We have an audited Risk Management Programme, ensuring compliance with New Zealand's internationally respected Animal Products Act 1999. Traceability
All Comvita UMF® Manuka Honey is traceable to its source - from the hive to the shelf. We have an audited Risk Management Programme to ensure compliance. Partnership
We work closely with only the best beekeepers in New Zealand that produce Manuka Honey of the highest quality. From the rugged central NorthIsland volcanic plateau, to the bush clad hills of the Coromandel, there are many different factors that can affect the quality of Manuka Honey - it’s a natural product so sun, wind and rain all play a part. We regularly visit all of our beekeeper partners to discuss the honey crop, the Comvita quality system and our expectations that only the best will suffice. No other company knows Manuka Honey like Comvita.