Comvita NZ Misleads

The NZ Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) says that the natural health and beauty company Comvita NZ Ltd has provided misleading information about its role in funding animal experiments in New Zealand. NZAVS has copies of emails from a Comvita representative responding to direct questions where they state that “Comvita does not carry out or fund any sort of animal testing”. NZAVS has evidence contradicting this claim.

An experiment using mice published in June 2012 was co-funded by Comvita NZ Ltd. Honey provided by Comvita was used in an experiment carried out in Wellington by the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. This research resulted in the deaths of all the animals used. Comvita admitted their involvement in animal testing after being provided with evidence contrary to their earlier claims.

“NZAVS is opposed to the use of all animals in experiments and we find it highly concerning that a company paying for animal experiments is misleading consumers over this issue. It is vital that people are free to make informed choices about which products to buy” says NZ Anti-Vivisection Society spokesperson Stephen Manson, “many people refuse to buy products from companies that test on animals and they need to get honest upfront information in response to clear questions.”

The experiment was carried out to find out if New Zealand honeys had anti-inflammatory properties. Honey was applied to the ears of the mice after some had been artificially inflamed with acid. The mice were killed four hours later and their ears cut off and examined.

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