Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Beekeeper admits selling toxic honey

Updated at 12:16 pm on 3 March 2009

A beekeeper has admitted four charges relating to the sale of toxic honeycomb which poisoned about 20 people.

The honeycomb was sold in Whangamata last Easter by Projen Apiaries.

Numerous customers became ill and an investigation found the sickness resulted from tutin in the honey.

At the Waihi District Court on Tuesday, Kevin Prout pleaded guilty to all four charges laid by the Food Safety Authority.

Three relate to the sale of contaminated comb honey, which carries a potential maximum fine of $3000.

A fourth charge, relating to labelling of the honey, is punishable by a fine of up to $5000.

Prout was remanded to be sentenced in three weeks.

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