|
|
 e
started our honey analysis laboratory at Airborne with our move
into exporting in the mid 1980s to ensure the quality of our
products met the standards of importing countries, particularly
Germany and England. However once we started on our quest for
excellence, we never looked back.
 
From the early beginnings we started to develop quality control
systems using Key Parameter Profiles (KPP) for
the top New Zealand honeys, and now have a database of over
12,000 samples (of New Zealand honeys) against which to profile
new samples of honey offered to us for sale. Such a database
is the only current way of ensuring repeatable, true to label
quality. By measuring the KPPs for each honey type,
and comparing them to the known database, we are consistently
able to provide true to label products where others are unable
to do so.
This undertaking has meant often pioneering new laboratory techniques
for honey, along with developing software, quality systems,
and new artwork and packaging to convey the total message to
our final customers - the consumer.
In 1987 we developed a standardised
sampling system
enabling honey producers to create repeatable, representative
trade samples for sale of their product. This was subsequently
adopted as the New Zealand wide sampling system and is the core
of our quality system.
At the same time we implemented a complete raw material tracking
system with barcode technology enabling complete trace-back,
production control and auditing.
Honey identification in the laboratory can use a wide range
of analyses, and we rely predominantly on colour, pollen analysis
and organoleptic properties, but we also measure and utilize
:
- PH
levels
- Conductivity
- Sugar
spectrums (HPLC method)
We also
use our laboratory to control quality parameters associated
with processing, e.g. HMF which is associated
with and linked to ageing and heating of honey.
Today, our laboratory is at the heart of all our processes,
and the foundation of product development for the future.
|
