16 April 2008
AMHA Terminates Manuka Health Membership
The Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) has terminated Manuka Health NZ Ltd's membership after the company breached
the Association's membership rules.
AMHA Brand Manager, John Rawcliffe, said product testing had shown that Manuka Health had packed and sold UMFR honey
that was not true to label.
"As a result of the termination of membership, Manuka Health is no longer entitled to use the UMFR trade mark on any of
its promotional materials and products, including those currently on shelf," Mr Rawcliffe said.
"AMHA has requested that Manuka Health immediately remove all products and marketing material with the brand UMFR from
the marketplace."
He said AMHA had also been concerned about Manuka Health activities which were viewed by the Association as being
contrary to the best interests of AMHA, the UMFR trade mark and other members.
""For some time now, we have been alarmed about Manuka Health claims made in promotional materials which could mislead
the public to believe that UMFR Honey had unsupported medical claims. This contravenes AMHA's membership protocol which
requires any health claims on promotional materials be substantiated by results produced by approved and properly
conducted scientific trials and investigations. Such claims also do not comply with current New Zealand law."
Mr. Rawcliffe said there were also a number of additional matters uncovered during the course of AMHA's general
licensing inquiries.
"These matters are now currently under investigation by company fraud investigators, in liaison with the appropriate
authorities.
"AMHA views any breach of its membership rules very seriously.
"The Association estimates that sales of UMFR honey and honey containing products both locally and offshore currently
represent more than NZD$100 million in annual turnover.
"Protecting the UMFR brand and customers who purchase UMFR products is, therefore, paramount. AMHA continues to monitor
local and offshore UMFR-related activities, to ensure the robustness of the brand."
UMFR honey has antibacterial properties which are naturally present in various strengths in some strains of Manuka
honey. The UMFR Test Standard was established to identify and set apart the UMFR Manuka honey which has the
antibacterial properties in it. The Test Standard is the only standard worldwide that has been specifically developed to
identify and measure the antibacterial strength of UMFR honey.
ENDS