Paengaroa based company Comvita is spending a million dollars on hi-tech honey testing equipment following recent overseas concerns about the quality of New Zealand manuka honey.

Comvita ceo Brett Hewlett announced today the natural health and beauty products company is purchasing an isotope ratio mass spectrometer and an ultra-high liquid chromatograph with a Quantiva mass spectrometer detector - the first of its type in New Zealand.

Comvita is investing millions in new hi-tech equipment to test for manuka honey.

'We're investing in equipment that is the best available in the world and represents the highest levels of analytical performance,” says Brett.

'Developing a centre of excellence for honey testing will give us a leading edge when it comes to consumer confidence and trust in our products.

'This investment will enable us to speed up the test result turn-around time and improve our ability to service our markets. It also provides us capability to develop additional tests as required for other products, and the equipment can also be used for research and development work.”

It means Comvita will also be expanding the size of its testing and research capability for Manuka honey and staffing.

Recent scrutiny of the quality and safety of New Zealand food products means increased testing of honey to provide assurances to global customers of freshness, purity, safety and authenticity has become essential, says Brett.

'High level assurances of this nature are becoming a worldwide requirement and Comvita is committed to maintaining a leadership position in this regard.”

Comvita is licensed to use the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) quality mark, a system backed by an industry quality standard, independent audits and a network of accredited laboratories around the world.

'Comvita was the first in the world to implement a new UPHLC laboratory method that detects in a single test for UMF, any effects of heat damage and the freshness of manuka honey,” says Brett.

'This rapid three in one test has given us enormous advantages in screening for the highest possible manuka honey quality. We can provide assurances to our global customers that the quality is consistent and will remain so for the entire shelf-life of the product.”