Quality Standards
The concept of ‘ medical grade honey’ started in August 2000 following global demand for high quality medical grade honey and honey-based health products. Our company has ongoing activities in honey research and intellectual property development together with the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. We currently hold a range of honey product patents and also participate and fund numerous research and clinical trials for further product development and extension.
A unique accredited honey supply programme has been developed as company intellectual property to meet the quality requirements of Medical Device manufacturing internationally. The programme includes an accredited supplier network with the development of quality standards and systems for honey resourcing, harvesting and extraction. Quality management standards and systems have also been developed for honey processing. Strict product testing regimes were also set for ensuring the integrity of ‘ medical grade honey’ supply.
Whilst some of the more exact components of the medical grade honey processing and measuring techniques, as well as the supply programme, are held confidentially within intellectual property management, this chapter gives an overview of the exacting efforts put in to ensure that the honey used in the medical arena is of true ‘medical grade’.
The systems developed for the programme were done in consideration of preventing any possible microbiological, physical and chemical contamination that cannot be removed afterwards, and also for the prevention of natural quality deterioration/loss during storage. Traceability of the honey from hive to finished product is also an essential part of the system developed. A series of workshops with landowners, beekeepers and honey extractors have been carried out to introduce the concept of ‘ medical grade honey’, and to develop standards and systems. At the end of the supply programme an assessment is undertaken of the suppliers, and only the suppliers that pass the assessment are able to supply medical grade honey. The accredited suppliers are also regularly audited and monitored by Comvita, throughout each honey season, to ensure compliance with the standards and systems developed.
We are committed to improving continually the quality of medical grade honey by conducting full breakdown analysis on resource sites, harvesting/beekeeper practices and extraction processes, including a full analysis of all inward raw medical grade honey received each season. Supplier management manuals are updated annually as improvements are required. Feedback and improvement meetings with suppliers are held regularly to ensure that all supplier practices are kept up-to-date and current.
Introduction
The use of honey as a topical antibacterial agent has been emphasised by New Zealand’s University of Waikato Professor, Dr Peter Molan, since 1989, and is gaining acceptance for the treatment of surface infections such as ulcers, burns, injuries, pressure ulcers, and surgical wounds (Cooper et al, 2001; Cooper and Molan, 1999; Molan, 1998; Molan, 2001). A feature of the usage of active Manuka honey is the rapid clearance of infection, in many cases from wounds that had not responded to various forms of conventional treatment (Cooper et al, 1999; Molan and Allen, 1996).
The supply programme is a unique framework of partnership in land use and honey supply, working together with landowners and beekeepers, to ensure continuing and expanding economic benefit from premium quality medical grade Manuka honey. It was developed from an unwavering commitment to sustainable resource management and robustness of medical grade honey supply into the Medical Device market. The concept started in August 2000 following global interest in, and demand for, high quality medical grade honey and honey-based health products. Through the consumer and specialty product activities, the company seeks to introduce therapeutic and beneficial effects of honey to all those with a concern for natural health.
We are continuing to develop close business relationships with international companies involved in relevant clinical, therapeutic and health-related products for development, distribution and manufacturing of Medical Device/therapeutic honey products.
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