What happens when you combine a world class agri-food lab, an internationally recognised kitemark and Scottish honey - a Scottish honey set to take on its global rivals.
Fera Science Limited, with origins in delivering world-class science and research that began over 100 years ago as the Institute for Plant Pathology, uses original thinking and innovation in developing early stage detection to solve the big issues facing the agri-food industry. As a leading provider of analysis and testing services achieving a safer, more sustainable and traceable food supply chain Fera is proud to partner with BSI in the new Kitemark for Food Assurance.
Recognised around the world, the Kitemark is used to independently verify the very best performing products and services from safety-critical PPE to secure digital transactions. By extending the use of the Mark of Trust into the agri-food sector, discerning shoppers can confidently select products where the consumer promise has been independently verified. What distinguishes the Kitemark is that in addition to being verified by BSI, that promise is also scientifically proven by the food scientists at Fera.
To achieve the BSI Heather Honey Kitemark, which was developed with scientific insights from Fera, The Scottish Bee Company’s entire supply chain was inspected by BSI, sharing information on the location of their hives; which can be inspected, without notice, at any time.
"Beyond quality is trust and, clearly, The Scottish Bee Company is committed to winning and maintaining the trust of consumers who appreciate honey," explains Richard Werran, BSI’s EMEA Food Director, "the Kitemark for Food Assurance is not easy to achieve and highlights a company’s belief in and commitment to their values and customer promise."
"The ability to scientifically and statistically measure and validate claims forms a core part of the achieving the kitemark process which Fera with over 100 years origin in delivering world class science are best placed to provide" says Dr Adrian Charlton who played a key role in developing the scientific validation of the kitemark.
Another part of the kitemark process is confirming that the product is produced from Scottish heather and is honey. Researchers from Fera using the latest analytical methodologies rigorously tested honey samples and not only confirmed the samples were Scottish heather honey but they also established that the honey contained significantly higher levels of the essential micronutrient, manganese. The resultant breakthrough that the heather honey contains significantly higher levels of the essential micronutrient, manganese is the first of its kind in the world and firmly cements this honey’s position as a rival to manuka honey.
Dr Adrian Charlton from Fera Science Limited, said: "We didn’t know that honey of any type could be a significant source of dietary manganese before this piece of work was completed."
Suzie Millar, Co-founder of The Scottish Bee Company, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be the first company with a Scottish food product in the world to have secured independently verified provenance status from BSI. Suzie went on to say: “It’s also been remarkable to see the results of the scientific analysis show that our Scottish heather honey has superfood quality, more so than many other honeys around the world."
