FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Comvita® is New Zealand's leading producer of UMF™ grade Mānuka Honey.  Find out more about our high quality Mānuka Honey here.

Mānuka honey comes from a complex collection of natural compounds that we call the Unique Mānuka Factors (UMF™) – and you won’t find it anywhere but in authentic New Zealand Mānuka Honey.

UMF™ is the only quality and rating system that independently certifies the presence and quality of all factors that make New Zealand Mānuka honey unique, ensuring you get honey that meets your needs. Check for the UMF™ quality mark on the front of pack when choosing your Mānuka honey.

The Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) independently tests and certifies every batch for four key factors that make the all-important UMF™ rating found on every jar of authentic mānuka honey. With the UMF™ rating, you can confidently choose the right option for you when investing in your health and wellness.

Not all Mānuka Honey's are UMF™ rated – only those which have been independently tested and verified by UMFHA are given a UMF™ rating. For more information visit https://www.umf.org.nz/unique-manuka-factor/.

The UMF™ grading system has two components which are expressed on any UMF™ licenced honey product:

1. The label claim that it is Mānuka Honey

2. The number - this represents three chemical markers that indicate the content of this honey to ensure purity and quality. This includes the key chemical markers HMF, DHA, MGO, and Leptosperin.

For more information visit https://www.umf.org.nz/unique-manuka-factor/.

The Comvita Mānuka Honey Blend is a delicious blend of UMF™ 5+ Mānuka Honey, combined with other New Zealand forest honeys to bring you a superior tasting blend, rich in floral flavour. Choose the Mānuka Honey Blend as a high quality, pure table honey.

UMF™ 5+ is certified UMF™ New Zealand Mānuka Honey with a UMF rating of 5 or above. UMF™ is the Gold Standard in Mānuka, is independently tested and certified and measures the three signature compounds that ensures you’re getting genuine, monofloral Mānuka. Choose the UMF™ 5+ when you are looking for a natural sweetener that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Mānuka honey truly is the golden standard of honey. Mānuka honey is produced from the characteristic nectar from the sweet-smelling flower of the Mānuka tree. Rich in amino acids, Vitamins B & C, antioxidants, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and bioactive compounds, mānuka honey is a superfood and at the forefront of natural health sciences. No other honey has the volume or complexity of natural components at work like New Zealand Mānuka honey.

Delicious, thick, and with a characteristic dark cream to dark brown colour, Mānuka honey has long been admired as an exceptional honey with a distinct, complex flavour and rich aroma unlike any other honey in the world.

Click here to learn more about our Mānuka honey, or click here to shop the range.

Mānuka Honey is unique to New Zealand and to obtain pure Mānuka Honey is a specialised task for beekeepers.

Mānuka Honey is more difficult to extract and has a limited harvest period as it is only collected at certain times of the year. The unique properties of Mānuka Honey are well understood by consumers around the world, thereby creating a continually high level of demand.

Honey is a natural product, influenced by seasonal and regional conditions and the nectar source (the blossoms) visited by the bees. Honey colour ranges from nearly colourless to dark brown, and its flavour varies from delectably mild to distinctively bold.

Some areas produce paler honey than others. Like a good wine, honey will grow in flavour and darken with age.

Comvita's honey is pure with no additives or preservatives and it is naturally GMO free.

Yes, it is 100% Pure and Traceable

New Zealand has zero honey imports, which means UMF™ certified honey contains no adulterants. In fact, all retail products with this quality mark are traceable to independent UMFHA licensed suppliers and producers.
This unparalleled assurance system applies strict product standards and testing protocols to confirm the traceability, purity and product quality of authentic 100% New Zealand Mānuka honey, so that you know what you’re buying is genuinely produced, packed and sealed in New Zealand.

The nectar from plants is the sugar source for honey, it is always best to consult your healthcare professional before consuming honey as they will have the best advice based on your specific health requirements.

Mānuka Honey is a natural product with no additives or preservatives and has been taken by pregnant women for many years with no reported problems as a result of its ingestion.

We do not recommend that honey be given to children under the age of one.

No. Mānuka Honey that is purchased in a jar is for oral/internal use only. Comvita recommends sterile Medical-Grade honey products such as Comvita Medihoney® Antibacterial Wound Gel™ for use on wounds.

Comvita Mānuka Honey has a ‘best before’ date of three years from packing, to guarantee the UMF™ rating remains accurate over the shelf life of the product. While the UMF™ rating will change over time, Mānuka honey is still safe to consume past the printed best before date if stored in the right conditions.

Please always seek advice from your healthcare practitioner or professional before use. Do not exceed recommended daily intake advice. If you wish to talk to someone for further information, please contact us.

Comvita has developed Children’s Olive Leaf Extract to appeal to younger taste buds.

Children's Olive Leaf Extract can be given to children over the age of 2 years at a rate of 5mL (1 teaspoonful) twice daily.

Children over two years of age may be given the original or peppermint flavoured Olive Leaf Extract at 2.5mL (half teaspoonful) 2 to 3 times a day with food. Take up to 7.5mL daily.

Please always seek advice from your healthcare practitioner or professional before use. Do not exceed recommended daily intake advice. If you wish to talk to someone for further information, please contact us.

Our Olive Leaf Extract Original and Olive Leaf Extract Peppermint flavours have been certified Halal and Kosher.

If you are a vegan or vegetarian we recommend that you use the liquid Olive Leaf Extract range which is made from 100% plant derived products. Our current Olive Leaf Extract capsule products contain a gelatin coating which is not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Our Olive Leaf Extract is Fresh-Picked™ from our farms in Brisbane, Australia. We have been growing Olive Trees for over 20 years specifically for a high quality Olive Leaf Extract. Find out more about our Olive Leaf Farms here.

Comvita Olive Leaf Extract does not contain any added sugar.  It contains vegetable glycerol as the bulking agent. Even though glycerine (glycerol) is sweet, it is not a sugar and it does not behave as a sugar in the body. Olive Leaf Extract does, however, contain naturally occurring sugars.  These are present in small amounts, with nutritional analysis showing there is 0.1g of fructose in 100g of Olive Leaf Extract.

Comvita Propolis is created by the bees from natural sap and resins found on trees. Trees produce these resins at the site of a plant injury and on new shoots. The bees collect the resin and carry it back to the hive where they mix beeswax and enzymes to make Propolis.

Click here to learn more about Propolis, or click here to shop the range.  

Comvita Propolis contains over 300 bioactive compounds, including antioxidants that work at the cellular level to fight free radicals and support general health and wellbeing.

The strength of dose for liquids, capsules and tablets is the same, so it is more a question of suitability and personal preference.

We recommend Propolis Tincture for teeth, gum and external use and Propolis Extract, Tablets and Capsules to be taken orally for internal use.

To learn more about the product range available check out the Propolis Shop.

Propolis Capsules should be swallowed with water. Propolis Extract can be dropped directly into the back of the mouth and throat, or mixed in water and drunk or gargled. Propolis Tincture should be applied directly by the dropper onto the desired area.

Yes, however vegetarians should choose our Propolis Extract rather than Propolis Capsules as the liquid capsules have a bovine gelatin casing.

Comvita is an established brand with a reputation for producing natural and effective products. We are fully committed to producing toothpastes that provide complete oral hygiene.

Xylitol is a sweet substance commonly found in birch trees and many fruits and vegetables. Research has indicated xylitol has great tooth benefits and is one of our key ingredients that helps maintain complete oral hygiene.

Baking soda is a natural ingredient that cleans your teeth effectively yet gently.

Here at Comvita, we prefer to keep our oral care range free from fluoride for consumers who wish to make a personal choice to avoid taking fluoride internally. There is ongoing debate about the benefits, safety and side effects of fluoride in toothpaste if ingested. This ensures that we are providing a 100% natural, safe and effective product to enhance oral hygiene.

All of our Comvita® Oral Care formulations are 100% natural based on the criteria applied by Natural Products Association (NPA).

We work hard to ensure that all our ingredients come from sustainable, renewable sources and it goes without saying that we do not test our products on animals. Our toothpaste adheres to the International certification standards for natural skin care such as BDIH, Ecocert and NPA, that require products to be made from at least 95% natural ingredients before they can be certified as natural.

The ingredients in the Comvita Oral Care range have been carefully chosen for their gentle but effective properties to provide oral hygiene. There are no known side effects at the quantities used in our formulations. However, if you have allergies towards propolis or bee products, you should not use our Propolis Toothpaste and Propolis Toothgel formulations.

For more information please contact us directly.

Comvita's Oral Care products are proudly made in New Zealand.

Medihoney™ Antibacterial Mānuka Honey is sourced from New Zealand hives, these hives are managed by beekeepers whose sole focus is producing medical-grade honey for Comvita. The honey is then transported to Comvita’s purpose built, state of the art facility for processing, once filtered to Medical-Grade standards, the honey is then transported to our Medical Device partner in Canada to complete the product to global medical device standards.

Comvita has developed a world-leading medical Mānuka Honey supply and extraction methodology into a system that has helped redefine honey industry standards. This has resulted in products licensed for use in hospitals in Europe and the United States.

For more information on our Medihoney™, please contact us.

The extraction and processing of medical Mānuka honey is vastly different to that of table honey. A key difference is the number of processes designed to minimise environmental contaminants. All of the tools we use to remove Mānuka honey frames are sanitised and the frames are hygienically transported to our specialised extraction and processing facility in Te Puke, New Zealand.

Automated closed extraction and filtration procedures minimise exposure to contaminants. At Comvita we use only the most stringent standards to ensure the consistency, efficacy and integrity of every product. Each batch is tested by an independent laboratory for its antibacterial activity and is sterilised to make it safe for use.

No. Mānuka Honey that is purchased in a jar is for edible purposes only. Wounds, cuts and scratches or broken skin should only be treated with sterilised honey. Therefore, Comvita recommends using Medical-Grade Antibacterial Manuka Honey for such conditions such as Medihoney® Wound Gel. Medihoney® Wound Care products are CE marked to European medical device standard 93/42/EEC and are the first honey-based products cleared for medical use by the FDA (North America), Europe and Australasia.

Yes. Medihoney® Wound Gel is a sterile product.

Comvita is committed to researching the best honey for different applications or stages of wound healing. Our medical-grade Mānuka Honey has been selected because it contains high levels of Methylglyoxal, which has been shown to offer effective antibacterial protection. To ensure we manufacture highly efficacious products, Comvita will continue to re-evaluate the honey type and content of our products as we understand more about the therapeutic action of honeys.

Due to the properties of honey some people may experience some discomfort such as a stinging upon application. This will subside after a few minutes as the wound adjusts to the lower pH. If discomfort is of an unacceptable level, remove the dressing and wash the affected area. Honey has a low pH which can be responsible for the stinging sensation. Honey also has a very high sugar content and low water content. Excess fluid from the wound is drawn towards the honey which can cause a drawing or slight throbbing sensation.

If you are concerned or have questions please contact us.

Yes. Because Medihoney™ Wound Gel is sterilised, it is safe for the whole family.

Medihoney™ Wound Care products are unique in the sense that are antibacterial, create a moist environment conducive to optimal wound healing and act as a barrier against further infection. Other First Aid products have their place but not all have the same unique qualities as Medihoney™.

On average, online orders are dispatched within 1 - 2 days. All orders are shipped from the warehouse in Brisbane so times can vary based on where you are situated. Comvita aims to deliver orders to far regions within ten working days at the most.

If you have questions on your order please contact us here.

For damaged or incorrect orders, please contact our Customer Experience Team on [email protected] or 1800 466 392 and one of our team will be able to arrange a replacement for you. For faster processing, please email us a photo of the damaged item, including batch number. 

As the trusted global leader in Mānuka Honey, we guarantee that you will love our Mānuka Honey from New Zealand and we are committed to giving you the very best quality natural health products to support you and your family. If you are not satisfied with the products you have ordered, please contact our Customer Experience Team on [email protected] or 1800 466 392 and we would be happy to discuss this with you.

Once your order has been submitted, we cannot cancel or amend your order. This includes the retrospective addition of a discount. You may still be able to return the items as per our returns policy. Please contact our Customer Experience Team on [email protected] to explore your options.

To return products for a refund, please contact our Customer Experience Team on [email protected] within seven days of receipt of your products to discuss your options. Please note that returned products need to be unopened and in their original condition, with packing slip enclosed. Once we have received notification from our warehouse that the products have been received and are in good condition, we can then process your refund, less a 20% handling and delivery fee. Refunds are paid via the same method as original purchase.

If you need to contact us please click here to speak to one of our expert customer care team.

We have separate promotions in different locations of purchase. Many of the promotions on the website are exclusively available on here.

Products can be purchased online via this website or contact us on 1800 466 392 or via [email protected] for a list of retailers that stock our products. 

If you suspect counterfeit product, we advise you contact us with as much information as possible so we can take appropriate action. We are committed to ensuring customers maintain their faith and trust in our brand, and to protecting consumers.

Genuine Comvita product may be purchased on-line from this website, or from any of the websites from the country list at the bottom of this page. If you would prefer to purchase in store, please contact us to find your nearest store location.

If the goods you purchase are counterfeit, it cannot be guaranteed the product/s are safe to consume or true to label. Comvita’s global reputation is based on providing the highest quality natural health products. If you purchase goods on-line from a stockist who is not endorsed by Comvita, you may be purchasing from a counterfeit site. If you are asked to provide your contact details and/or credit card details on these sites you may be opening yourself to the potential of identity theft or fraud. We do not recommend you give your personal details to a site which you are not certain is genuine.

At Comvita, we do not believe in testing on animals.

We do not conduct animal testing on any of our products or ingredients, nor commission others to test on our behalf. At no point is animal testing a part of our product development process and we are committed to this policy.

All of our products are extensively tested on humans only. We commonly test new products on ourselves and our family and friends. Any clinical trials have been conducted on humans. As our products are natural with our raw materials being either food or plant based, they do not pose any real risk to anyone consuming or applying them (unless they have allergies). We have been doing this for almost 50 years and have built a global reputation for the quality and efficacy of our products.

Regulatory requirements:

In some countries, as part of the product registration process, animal testing may be a mandatory legal requirement to provide evidence of consumer safety. If the relevant government authority deem it necessary, a third party laboratory carries out toxicological tests that may involve animals. They say this is required to ensure that products do not pose a risk to their consumers. Once the regulatory authorities have approved the product for sale, no further testing is carried out.

We are committed to working with the regulators in the countries we export to, to challenge both the necessity of the testing and to encourage alternative testing methods where possible. This is the most effective way we can lend our support to the groundswell of global opposition to this unnecessary practice.