Understanding Tutin Risks in New Zealand Honey
New Zealand honey is renowned worldwide for its rich flavors and unique health benefits. However, there’s a potential hidden danger in some honey that both beekeepers and consumers must be aware of—tutin contamination. This naturally occurring neurotoxin, found in the New Zealand native tutu plant, can be harmful to humans if it makes its way into honey. Although rare, tutin poisoning can lead to serious health issues, and in extreme cases, it may even result in death¹.
In this blog, we'll explore what tutin is, the risks it poses, how honey becomes contaminated, and the ways beekeepers and consumers can mitigate these risks.
What is Tutin?
Tutin is a neurotoxin present in the tutu plant (Coriaria arborea), commonly found in New Zealand. The toxin itself doesn’t affect bees, but it can pose a significant risk to humans if consumed through honey. Bees collect honeydew secreted by passion vine hoppers, insects that feed on tutu sap. If this honeydew is collected and processed into honey, tutin may be present in the final product¹.
Health risks of tutin poisoning include:
- Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Neurological symptoms (tremors, seizures)
- Respiratory distress
- Liver and kidney damage
In severe cases, tutin poisoning can lead to coma or death. A notable instance of tutin poisoning occurred in 2008, when 22 people were poisoned by comb honey from a hobbyist beekeeper in Whangamata¹.
Sources of Tutin Contamination in Honey
Tutin contamination in honey generally occurs in areas where tutu bushes thrive, particularly in the North Island and the top of the South Island. The risk is highest when three key factors are present simultaneously:
- Tutu bushes near beehives.
- Passion vine hoppers feeding on tutu plants and excreting honeydew.
- Honey bees collecting this honeydew, especially when other food sources are limited.
Some high-risk areas include:
- Coromandel
- Eastern Bay of Plenty
- Marlborough
The peak contamination risk period is during January to April, when passion vine hoppers are most active¹.
The divider Line in the South Island is 42 degrees latitude line ²
Honey produced below that line shouldn't need to be tested for Tutin.
Health Risks of Tutin Poisoning
Tutin poisoning can vary from mild to severe, with symptoms often appearing quickly after consumption. Early signs of poisoning include giddiness, exhaustion, and vomiting, which can escalate into more severe outcomes like seizures, stupor, and coma. In extreme cases, tutin poisoning can be fatal¹.
Current Regulations and Standards
To protect consumers, New Zealand has strict guidelines under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Standard 1.4.1), which sets maximum allowable levels of tutin in honey:
- Extracted honey: 0.7 mg/kg
- Cut Comb honey: 0.01 mg/kg¹
These standards aim to ensure that honey sold locally or exported remains safe for consumption. Beekeepers, packers, and exporters must comply with these regulations, and non-compliance could result in legal consequences.
Cut-comb honey is tested by catching all the dribbles when it is cut, stirring it thoroughly to mix it together, then sending a sample of the dribbles to the lab for testing.
Box comb honey is honey that is produced in the finished container and is not cut in any way.
It cannot be tested for Tutin.
For apiaries north of the 42°S latitude line, one straightforward compliance option is to produce and harvest box-section comb honey between 1 July and 31 December. However, this is not the only option available. Beekeepers who can demonstrate that an apiary is low risk through the targeted-testing pathway may be able to produce box-section comb honey later in the season, subject to the requirements of the Food Standard: Tutin in Honey.
Can Box Section Comb Honey Be Produced After 31 December?
Yes — under certain circumstances.
The Food Standard: Tutin in Honey provides another option for beekeepers who can demonstrate that an apiary is in a low-risk area through targeted testing over several years.
Under Option 5, targeted honey samples from the apiary must be tested for tutin for three consecutive years. For apiaries being used for comb honey production, the tutin level in these targeted samples must not exceed 0.01 mg/kg.
Once the initial three-year testing period has established the required low-risk history, testing is then required one year in every ten-year period.
This can be particularly useful for beekeepers producing box-section comb honey. Box-section comb honey may be produced from qualifying apiaries during the years when targeted testing is not required.
There are some important conditions. The targeted samples must be representative samples from the last harvest of the season, harvested between 1 January and 30 June. Box-section comb honey must not be produced for sale from an apiary using this option in a year when the targeted sample is required.
This means that, for qualifying apiaries with the appropriate testing history and records, box-section comb honey production does not necessarily have to finish on 31 December.
Beekeepers should check the current Food Standard: Tutin in Honey and MPI guidance to ensure their apiary and records meet all requirements before relying on this option.
Mitigating the Risk of Tutin Contamination
Beekeepers play a critical role in minimizing the risk of tutin contamination. There are several strategies they can adopt to reduce the likelihood of producing contaminated honey:
- Site Selection: Place beehives in low-risk areas, away from tutu bushes.
- Monitoring Vegetation: Regularly inspect the vicinity for tutu plants and passion vine hoppers, especially in high-risk zones.
- Timing of Honey Harvest: Harvest honey before the peak risk period (before January) to avoid collecting honeydew contaminated with tutin. Honey produced by the bees in the Tutin Zone from July to 31st Dec and harvested by 31st Dec does not need to be tested for Tutin.
- Testing Honey: Send honey samples for testing at certified laboratories to ensure they meet the allowable tutin levels before selling or distributing them¹.
The Importance of Compliance
Adhering to the Food Standard: Tutin in Honey is not only a legal obligation for beekeepers but a crucial part of consumer safety. Even hobbyist beekeepers are encouraged to follow these guidelines. Non-compliance could lead to legal action, especially in cases where honey causes poisoning¹.
Conclusion
Tutin contamination in honey is a serious but manageable risk in New Zealand. By understanding the nature of tutin, adhering to safety standards, and employing best practices, beekeepers can minimize the risk of producing contaminated honey. Consumers, too, should remain aware, especially when purchasing honey from high-risk areas or during the peak risk season.
For more information and guidance, beekeepers and consumers can access resources provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). By staying informed and cautious, everyone can continue to enjoy the many benefits of New Zealand honey safely.
¹ https://apinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/API_TutinBrochure2019_v1_midres.pdf
² https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/10136/direct