KEY POINTS:
At least three more cases of suspected honey poisoning have appeared after three people were treated at Thames Hospital for the potentially fatal condition linked to comb honey produced near Whangamata.
The producer is a hobbyist beekeeper who is said to have not known that bees could produce honey toxic to humans - but not bees - by gathering honeydew containing poison from the native tutu bush.
The beekeeper, Kevin Prout, of Progen Apiaries, last night confirmed that his honey was being investigated but declined to comment further, other than to say that he was waiting for test results on the honey.
The National Beekeepers Association has warned consumers to be wary of comb honey that may have been produced by hobbyists ignorant of how to avert the risk, and to ask suppliers and producers for assurances of safety. But the association acknowledges this may be difficult to do.
The Waikato District Health Board wants people who bought the affected honey, sold by three Whangamataoutlets, to take it to a collection pointat the Whangamata Medical Centre,or to wrap it tightly in plastic - to prevent bees from recycling it - before putting it in the rubbish.
Board spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill yesterday named the three outlets as Valley Orchards, Quarry Orchards Fruit & Vege Mart and Meat at the Beach butchery.
British tourist Joseph Reynolds, 32, was discharged from Thames Hospital yesterday after becoming severely sick on Thursday after eating a sandwich spread thickly with comb honey.
The honey will be tested this week to see if it contains a high level of tutin toxin.
This is produced when bees harvest honeydew secreted by sap-sucking vine hopper insects which feed on tutu plants.
Mr Reynolds had been staying near Whangamata with the family of his London partner, New Zealander Vanessa Whittle.
He vomited five or six times on Thursday, had a seizure, fell unconscious and was taken to hospital.
Ms Whittle's sister Jo, of Wellington, and Jo Whittle's 3-year-old son, Daniel, also ate honey and fell sick. Daniel had a seizure.
It was only when they were taken to the hospital on Friday - they were treated and discharged - that it was realised the honey could be the cause.
Vaughan van Rensburg, 36, the principal of Opoutere School near Whangamata, said it was only news reports that made his extended family realise their recent spate of illness was probably due to the toxic honey.
His mother-in-law was admitted to Thames Hospital after eating locally-bought comb honey and having mild seizures, and her husband ate some and felt very unwell too.
Mr van Rensburg ate four pieces of toast with a thick layer of the honey about a week ago and later in the day, with his family, visited his mother-in-law in hospital.
He left the hospital to take his 2-year-old son to a park, where Mr van Rensburg had "massive convulsions". He too was admitted to hospital, had more violent seizures, was transferred to Waikato Hospital, was discharged on Wednesday without a clear diagnosis and has been taking anti-seizure drugs since.
Ms Gill said a 70-year-old Hamilton woman contacted the health board yesterday to tell of vomiting and suffering convulsions after eating comb honey from the Whangamata producer.
Quarry Orchards spokeswoman Nancy - she declined to give her surname - said: "I feel sorry for him." The producer was " totally unaware" of the risk from tutu bushes.
DEADLY TREAT
* Toxic honey is produced by bees harvesting honeydew secreted by vine hopper insects after feeding on the native tutu bush.
* People have died from eating the honey.
* Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and coma.
* Last previous poisoning case was in 1991. Last cases from commercial honey were in 1974, affecting 13 people.
* Commercial beekeepers are required to manage their hives to ensure affected honey is used only to feed bees.
* The affected Whangamata comb honey was sold in plastic containers for about $10 each.
