New Zealand honey is failing a test used around the world to detect unadulterated honey, or honey watered down with liquid sugar.
The Ministry for Primary Industries says nine batches of export honey have been turned away so far this year from overseas markets after failing the test.
However, the ministry says that the test is flawed because it can produce false positives in honey which is naturally high in protein, such as manuka.
GNS Science and honey producers say the test is unfit and are pushing for the development of a new test.
The ministry says is ''not aware of any overseas detections of added sugar in New Zealand honey prior to 2012''.
