Our Mānuka Honey Is Independently Certified Glyphosate Residue Free

The story behind glyphosate-free certification and what it means for you

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in New Zealand. Farmers use glyphosate as both a weed killer and a crop desiccant, which means it ends up in the wider environment.

At Comvita, we believe this agricultural chemical doesn’t belong in food, especially not in Mānuka Honey. Bees may be exposed to glyphosate traces while foraging in nature, which is why Comvita conducts strict testing on every batch of raw honey. For us, glyphosate residue-free honey is non-negotiable.

Glyphosate in New Zealand

Glyphosate is widely used in New Zealand’s agricultural industry. However, the government does not permit the production of genetically modified crops, which are often engineered to tolerate herbicides (linking them to increased glyphosate usage). Thus, levels of glyphosate tend to be much lower than in other parts of the world.

We carefully place our hives in remote regions across the North Island, positioning them far from the agricultural chemicals used in intensive farming. Mānuka trees flourish in these natural landscapes, supporting the purity of our raw honey.

Still, bees can occasionally come into contact with glyphosate in nature. That’s why we don’t just rely on location. We test.

Our glyphosate testing program

At Comvita, every single drum of raw honey is tested using a highly sensitive LC/MS method. Our testing protocol can detect glyphosate at levels as low as <0.01 parts per million — less than 1/1000th of a gram in 100 kg of honey. This testing verifies no detectable glyphosate residues, down to 0.01 ppm, before our honey is packaged and ready for you to enjoy.

Beyond our own program, we partner with The Detox Project for independent verification. Their Glyphosate Residue Free certification means our honey:

• Maintains clear standards set based on government-recognised acceptable levels
• Is regularly batch tested and randomly spot checked
• Is confirmed Glyphosate Residue Free at the retail shelf

This certification is an added layer of reassurance on top of our own stringent testing. So if you want to confirm that your honey meets strict glyphosate testing standards, you can be confident every jar of Comvita Mānuka Honey is independently certified Glyphosate Residue Free.

You can learn about our bee welfare code here. 

Key takeaways

• Every batch tested: Comvita checks every drum of raw honey for traces of the glyphosate pesticide before production.
• High standards: Our testing can detect glyphosate residues down to 0.01 ppm using validated laboratory methods.
• Trusted certification: Verified by The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free program.
• Remote origins: Our hives are placed in remote locations across the North Island, away from heavy pesticide use.

Why it matters

Certified Glyphosate Residue-Free honey provides an added layer of quality assurance and transparency. While glyphosate remains a widely used herbicide, our Glyphosate Residue Free certification reflects our commitment to rigorous testing and traceability.

Frequently asked questions

Does honey contain glyphosate?

Honey may contain trace residues if bees forage in areas where glyphosate is used. That’s why Comvita tests every single batch of raw honey to verify it contains no detectable glyphosate residues before it’s packed into jars.

How do I know if honey is certified Glyphosate Residue Free?  

Look for independent certification. Comvita Mānuka Honey is verified by The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free program, which includes regular testing and spot checks of products on retail shelves.

Is all Mānuka Honey glyphosate residue free?

Testing practices can vary between producers. At Comvita, every batch of raw honey is tested using high-sensitivity LC/MS methods with a detection limit of <0.01 ppm. This supports our independent certification as Glyphosate Residue Free by The Detox Project.

Is Comvita Mānuka Honey glyphosate residue free?

Every jar of Comvita UMF™ Mānuka Honey is independently certified Glyphosate Residue Free by The Detox Project, verifying no detectable glyphosate residues down to government-recognised limits.

Taste the purity of New Zealand Mānuka Honey

From hive to shelf, we go above and beyond to provide pure, natural, and certified Glyphosate Residue Free New Zealand honey. Every jar of Comvita UMF™ Mānuka Honey is traceable back to its source and produced with care for bees, people, and the environment. Experience the purity of Comvita Mānuka Honey – certified Glyphosate Residue Free by The Detox Project.