New Zealand-based manuka honey suppliers Airborne Honey has launched a mobile app that allows consumers to trace the provenance of its products.

The launch of TraceMe follows the publication last week of an interim labelling guide for manuka honey by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, amid growing concerns about the legitimacy of some claims made by manuka manufacturers.

To use the tool, consumers can scan a QR code on honey jar labels or type a batch number from the packaging into the TraceMe section on Airborne’s website.

TraceMe then displays details about the particular jar of honey, from where in New Zealand it was collected, to heat damage levels, pollen presence and other measurements recognised by the Codex International Standard for Honey.

“This technology allows us to be completely transparent,” said Airborne Honey managing director Peter Bray.