Ruqayyah Snyder
Capilano Honey is a well-known honey brand in Australia that has been around for more than 70 years. The company claims to produce 100% pure Australian honey and is committed to supporting and growing the Australian beekeeping industry. However, in 2018, Capilano Honey and supermarkets were accused of selling 'fake' honey. The allegations suggested that their honey products, labelled as 'pure' and '100% honey', were blended with imported honey and adulterated with sugar syrup. Despite these claims, Capilano denied any adulteration and criticized the testing method used, stating that Australian and international regulators do not use the same testing regime. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated the allegations but did not find sufficient evidence to support them. With a focus on targeting Chinese consumers, Capilano Honey continues to be a prominent brand in the Australian market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Company ownership | Privately owned |
| Company headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Pure Australian honey, Manuka honey, Organic raw honey, Low GI honey |
| Target market | Australian consumers, Chinese consumers |
| Industry involvement | Funding essential research projects, Training the next generation of beekeepers, Supporting local beekeeping industry |
| Testing and certification | Passed official Australian C4 test, Criticized NMR testing |
| Adulteration allegations | Accused of selling fake honey by blending Australian and imported honey |
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What You'll Learn
Capilano Honey is Australia's biggest honey producer
In 2018, Capilano Honey faced allegations of selling 'fake' honey. Testing conducted by a leading international scientific lab found that almost half of the honey samples selected from supermarket shelves were mixed with something other than nectar from bees. The allegations, which were based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, claimed that Capilano's 'Allowrie' honey was adulterated with sugar syrup.
Capilano Honey vigorously denied these claims, stating that its Allowrie honey, made using up to 70% imported honey, was pure. They attributed the results to the "'weaknesses' of NMR testing", which is not used by Australian and international regulators. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) supported Capilano's stance, concluding that while Capilano had taken steps to provide assurance, there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.
Capilano Honey is committed to supporting and growing the Australian beekeeping industry. They aim to do so through training the next generation of beekeepers, funding essential research projects, and providing assistance during times of crisis. The company also plans to target Chinese consumers to achieve higher margins.
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Capilano Honey is 100% Australian-owned
In recent years, Capilano Honey has faced accusations of selling 'fake' honey. Testing conducted at a leading international scientific lab revealed that several samples of honey selected from supermarket shelves were mixed with something other than nectar from bees. However, these tests were based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, which is not yet considered reliable by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The official Australian test, C4, showed that Capilano's honey was pure.
Capilano Honey has denied allegations of adulteration, stating that their honey is 100% pure and that NMR testing is not the best method for detecting adulteration. The company has also highlighted that Australian and international regulators do not use NMR testing. Instead, they stand by the quality and purity of their honey, which is made by some of the world's healthiest bees and is naturally rich in Methylglyoxal (MGO).
Capilano Honey's commitment to producing pure and natural honey has made it a beloved brand in Australia. The company's iconic pure Australian honey has been expertly blended by their master honey blender for more than 40 years, resulting in a signature blend that Australians have come to know and love. With its rich, smooth, and caramel taste, Capilano Honey has become a staple in many Australian households, enjoyed in various ways, from drizzling on toast to adding a spoonful to tea or coffee.
As Capilano Honey continues to grow, the company is looking to expand its reach beyond Australia, with plans to target Chinese consumers. Despite this expansion, Capilano Honey remains dedicated to its Australian roots, supporting local beekeepers and providing pure, natural honey to its customers.
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Capilano's Allowrie honey is blended with imported honey
Capilano Honey Limited, or Hive and Wellness Australia, is an Australian company that produces and sells honey. In 2018, the company was accused of selling 'fake' honey, with allegations that its 'Allowrie' honey, labelled as 'pure' and '100% honey', was blended with imported honey and adulterated with sugar syrup. These allegations were based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, a method that Capilano and Australian regulators argued was unreliable for honey testing. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated these claims, focusing on Capilano's blended imported and Australian honey products, including the Allowrie brand.
Capilano Honey has since resumed selling imported honey in Australia, sourced from South America and marketed under the brands Cloverdale and Chandlers. The company has stated that this imported honey is blended with Australian honey under stringent testing conditions. While Capilano has faced criticism for its practices, it maintains its commitment to supporting the Australian beekeeping industry and providing pure and natural honey to its customers.
The Allowrie honey product from Capilano was at the centre of the controversy, with allegations that it was not pure honey as advertised. NMR testing indicated the presence of sugar syrup adulteration, but Capilano disputed the reliability of this testing method. The official Australian C4 test, conducted by the Department of Agriculture, did not detect adulteration in Allowrie honey. This discrepancy in testing results caused uncertainty and frustration among consumers and the industry.
Capilano Honey has consistently denied the allegations of selling adulterated honey. The company stated that its Allowrie honey, which contains a blend of imported and Australian honey, is pure and subjected to rigorous testing. Capilano criticised the use of NMR testing in isolation, citing its weaknesses as an analytical method. The company expressed concern about the potential impact on the industry's reputation and emphasised the need for robust and agreed-upon testing approaches.
The controversy surrounding Capilano's Allowrie honey highlights the challenges in ensuring the purity and authenticity of honey products. While the ACCC investigation concluded without legal action due to testing uncertainties, it underscored the importance of reliable testing methods and industry-wide consensus. The incident also drew attention to the potential impact of imported honey on the local beekeeping industry and the need for transparent product labelling.
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Capilano's Manuka honey is sourced from Australian bees
Capilano Honey is a well-known producer of honey in Australia. They have been in the business for over 70 years, with their products being a staple in many Australian households. Capilano's Manuka honey, in particular, is sourced from some of the world's healthiest bees, native to Australia.
The warm climate and diverse number of Leptospermum (Manuka) varieties in Australia contribute to the production of some of the most potent and best-tasting Manuka honey globally. Capilano's Manuka honey has a rich, smooth, and caramel-like flavour. It is naturally rich in Methylglyoxal (MGO), which is responsible for the potency of the honey's activity. The higher the MGO content, the more potent the honey.
Capilano is committed to supporting and growing the Australian beekeeping industry. They achieve this through various initiatives, such as training the next generation of beekeepers, funding essential research projects, and providing assistance during times of crisis.
The company has also been at the centre of a controversy regarding the purity of their honey. In 2018, Capilano was accused of selling 'fake' honey, with allegations that their Allowrie brand, labelled as 'pure' and '100% honey', was adulterated with sugar syrup. These allegations were based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, a method that Capilano and regulators criticised as unreliable for honey adulteration detection. Despite the criticism, there is a growing trend of experts, academics, and private companies adopting NMR testing for this purpose.
In conclusion, Capilano's Manuka honey is sourced from Australian bees, contributing to its unique taste and potency. The company plays a significant role in the Australian beekeeping industry, although it has faced controversies regarding the purity of its products.
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Capilano Honey supports the Australian beekeeping industry
Capilano Honey is committed to supporting and growing the Australian beekeeping industry. The company achieves this through training the next generation of beekeepers, funding essential research projects, and helping out during times of crisis.
Capilano Honey has been a staple in Australia for over 70 years, with its 100% pure Australian honey being enjoyed by many across the country. The company's iconic pure Australian honey is a carefully crafted signature blend of Australian native honeys, created by their master honey blender with over 40 years of experience.
Capilano Honey is made by some of the world's healthiest bees, which produce honey that is naturally rich in Methylglyoxal (MGO). The higher the MGO content, the more potent the honey's activity. Australia's warm climate and diverse Leptospermum (Manuka) varieties contribute to producing some of the most potent and best-tasting Manuka honey globally.
The company's Australian Certified Organic honey is hand-harvested by Aussie beekeepers from hives located within a 5km organic foraging radius. This honey is carefully packed to meet organic specifications, ensuring its purity and quality.
While Capilano Honey has faced controversies regarding the purity of its products, the company has denied these allegations and remains committed to providing pure and natural honey to its customers. The company's Allowrie brand, which includes imported honey, has been at the center of these controversies, with allegations of adulteration with sugar syrup. However, official Australian tests have shown that their honey is pure, and the company has expressed confidence in the quality of their products.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Capilano Honey is Australian owned.
Capilano Honey is made from the nectar of some of the world's healthiest bees.
Capilano Honey is marketed as 100% pure Australian honey. However, in 2018, the company was accused of selling fake honey after tests showed that some samples were mixed with something other than nectar from bees. Capilano Honey denied these allegations, stating that the tests used were not reliable enough to determine whether the honey was adulterated.
Capilano Honey's main product is its premium, Manuka honey, which is naturally rich in Methylglyoxal (MGO).
The new owners of Capilano Honey are unknown, but they are targeting higher margins by focusing on Chinese consumers.
