Harnessing honey's healing power....

An article from the BBC reporting on New Zealand's Manuka Honey.

Honey has been known for its healing properties for thousands of years - the Ancient Greeks used it, and so have many other peoples through the ages. Even up to the second world war, honey was being used for its antibacterial properties in treating wounds.

Working in his Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, in the central North Island, biochemist Professor Peter Molan has identified one particular type of honey with extraordinary healing qualities.

Professor Molan has shown that honey made from the flowers of the manuka bush, a native of New Zealand, has antibacterial properties over and above those of other honeys.

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04 June 2004
COMVITA NZ IS SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
AWARD WINNER

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Sustainable Business Kauri Award winner is natural health products company, Comvita New Zealand.

The Environment Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Awards were presented at a gala dinner in Rotorua on 03 June. Comvita New Zealand won the Kauri Award for large businesses, sponsored by the University of Waikato Management School.

Comvita Sales and Marketing Manager Scott Coulter says “sustainability is increasingly important for our business. Consumers are beginning to judge companies on their sustainable business efforts and there’s no doubt that taking an early position will reap commercial benefits.”

The Te Puke-based operation manufactures and markets a wide portfolio of natural health and medical products, many derived from honeybees – including Manuka honey, Propolis, and Pollen.

Mr Coulter says Comvita positions its products at the premium end of the market, with the Comvita brand a key competitive advantage.

“We need to meet our customers’ expectations in the sustainability area to maintain our price premium in the global market. We have developed a strong and well recognised international brand. One of our major points of difference is New Zealand – the country itself provides us with the highest quality natural products found anywhere in the world.”

Comvita has traditionally been active in this area with a commitment to both environmental and social sustainability demonstrated through a variety of initiatives. Over the past twelve months the company has started to pull these initiatives together into specific projects with clear business objectives.

Mr Coulter says it makes good sense for New Zealand businesses to be proactive in this area. “A commercially sensible approach can improve business performance in all three key areas - economic, social and environmental sustainability.”

He says “we still have much work to do. It is important that any changes we make in the name of sustainability are not just for cosmetic purposes, but they create real benefits to people and the environment. This is a challenge that sustainability brings, balancing commercial reality with the potential business benefits that can be gained.”

ENDS

Media release

14 April 2004

$2.4m research partnership investigates non-drug approach to preventing gastric diseases

A new, food-based approach to managing a health complaint which affects millions of people world-wide is the subject of a four-year $2.4 million research programme being led by Crop & Food Research scientists.

The programme, which has just received funding from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, is being undertaken in partnership with the natural health care company, Comvita. The award-winning export company is contributing towards the four year programme as part of its innovative product development strategy backed by scientific research.

The research aims to develop foods which either prevent or treat conditions associated with infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium which causes gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. These conditions are traditionally treated with drugs once the symptoms appear.

Crop & Food Research chief executive Paul Tocker says scientists will be developing high value foods which have ingredients which work together to reduce the effects of H Pylori infection.

It is estimated that some 70% of the world’s population is infected with H pylori, but not all will develop health complaints.

“These novel foods will be attractive to people who want to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers or gastric cancer. They will also be attractive to a broader market because they will taste good and be convenient to eat, and this will improve the digestive health of a broader market.”

He says the potential to combat H Pylori infection with specific foods opens up exciting export potential, initially in Asia and Australia.

Collaborating with Crop & Food Research will be medical researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and the University of New South Wales in Australia. The programme is being led by Crop & Food Research’s Dr Alison Wallace, who is an emerging researcher.

Ends

For more information contact:
Katherine Trought
Communications Manager
Crop & Food Research
Phone 03 325 6400
Mobile 027 431 3264

www.crop.cri.nz