New Tutin toxin test  

Validated test for Tutin in Honey – Matrix effects of the various honeys

Cawthron was awarded the contract for testing of Tutin in the Chemical Residue Testing Programme for Honey by the NZFSA in March 2008. Since then, the old method, partly based on an extraction of the honey developed in the early fifties, has been thoroughly reviewed and modern technologies have been applied to make this an accurate and robust method, with reliable detection limits and results.
The old method did not cope well with the wide variety of honey types produced in New Zealand (eg Manuka), and in some cases the interfering substances in the honey made it impossible to report below 10 mg/kg. This is of course not acceptable, as the NZ limit is currently 2 mg/kg.

Our R&D team has developed a new extraction procedure that has been proven to be able to cope with a wide range of honey matrices. The method also uses the latest analytical technique (Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSMS)). This method is validated in-house, and is used for both the regulatory testing as well as all routine product testing.

Cawthron Pricing for Tutin Testing.     Updated February 2009

Cawthron is offering Tutin testing to honey producers with a fully operational method that has a detection limit of 0.1 mg/kg using LCMS/MS instrumentation

The pricing structure for the analysis is as follows:

1. We can offer a 10 day turn around time for one off samples at the cost of $180 per sample, as this will allow samples to be batched with other samples coming into the laboratory,

2.  The discounted price of $140.00 per sample is available for batches of 4 or more samples sent in at one time for testing.  The standard turn around time is 10 working days.

3. In the case that positive results have been found on 3 or more composited samples, re-testing will be $140 each for individual samples.

4. Urgent turn around times are available by prior negotiation and may incur a surcharge.  All prices quote are excluding GST.

Ms Augusta van Wijk
Customer Services Manager
Cawthron Laboratory Services
Cawthron

Tel 03 548 2319 Extn 329
Email