Confidence for premium markets
TA Certified®
Verified antibacterial activity. Backed by science. Approved by ACCC.
What Is TA Certified®
TA Certified® is Y-Trace’s independent certification for honey with verified antibacterial activity. It gives producers, buyers, and regulators confidence that a honey batch has been tested, measured, and certified using a recognised scientific method – clearly, consistently, and without hype.
Why Measure Antibacterial Activity in Honey?
All honey contains natural antibacterial activity. However, the level can vary significantly depending on nectar source, seasonal conditions, and how bees ripen and store the honey.
Some floral sources and environmental conditions result in honey with higher measurable antibacterial activity. Without laboratory testing, there is no reliable way to understand or communicate those differences.
Beekeepers use Total Activity (TA) as a way to express antibacterial activity in a clear, comparable format.
The TA Certified® test applies a modern, standardised laboratory method to measure this activity accurately and consistently across all honey types. It captures the combined effect of honey’s naturally occurring antibacterial components, without altering the honey.
The result is a clear, batch-specific TA number that helps you understand your honey and communicate its antibacterial activity with confidence.
Why Beekeepers Choose TA Certified®
The honey market is changing. Buyers are asking more questions, and expectations around proof and transparency are higher than ever.
TA Certified® gives you a clear, independent way to show the antibacterial activity of your honey – employing the medical broth dilution method, incorporating a standard with non-biased instrument assessment. It replaces the challenges of the old Phenol Equivalent test with results you can confidently stand behind.
Whether you’re supplying premium customers, preparing for export, or simply protecting the reputation you’ve worked hard to build, TA Certified® helps you communicate quality clearly and honestly.
What TA Certified® Gives You
Confidence in your result
Independent testing confirms the antibacterial activity of your honey, so you’re not relying on assumptions or self-declared claims.
A clear TA number for each batch
Your TA score is directly linked to the specific batch tested, giving you clarity and traceability you can stand behind.
A recognised certification mark
Use the TA Certified® mark with confidence, knowing it’s governed by clear rules and recognised across the industry.
Stronger conversations with buyers
TA Certified® helps build trust with buyers, exporters, and partners by providing evidence that stands up to scrutiny.
A modern alternative to outdated activity claims
Move beyond vague or legacy measures with a clear, science-based way to communicate antibacterial activity.
Who TA Certified® is for
Producers seeking independent verification and clear, credible differentiation
Buyers who need confidence in quality, consistency, and sourcing decisions
Exporters managing risk, compliance, and market scrutiny
Regulators and compliance teams requiring transparent, auditable certification frameworks
Understanding your Certified TA® Score
Every honey is different. Floral source, season, and environment all influence antibacterial activity.
TA Certified® expresses this activity using a clear, measured scale based on laboratory testing. Your TA score reflects what was measured in your honey at the time of testing, for that specific batch.
What TA Doesn't Say
A TA score is not a judgement of quality, purity, or value. It does not define how “good” your honey is.
It simply reports the antibacterial activity measured under defined laboratory conditions, giving you a clear, honest result you can stand behind.
Simple Certification Process
How It Works
The TA number shows the level of antibacterial activity measured in your honey batch at the time of testing. It is based on laboratory results, not estimates or averages, and applies only to the batch tested.
(Leanne to develop infographic):
- Apply for TA Certification®
- Have your batch tested by Y-Trace Honey Laboratory
- Results are reviewed against certification rules
- Your TA number is confirmed
- Use the TA Certified® Mark on your approved batch
Pricing and Certification Costs
TA Certified® pricing is structured per batch and covers independent laboratory testing and licensed use of the Certification Trade Mark.
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Certified TA (Total Activity) Test $420
Total Activity testing is performed using the AAV Lite method and requires a 5 g honey sample per batch.
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Certification Licence $80 per annum
Once a batch meets certification requirements, licensed use of the TA Certified® mark is available.
Why Certified TA® Test was Developed
Globally, the honey industry is under increasing scrutiny around antimicrobial use and transparency.
At the 49th Apimondia Congress in Copenhagen (2025), the Apimondia International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations
issued formal positions and calls to action encouraging responsible antimicrobial practices across the sector.
TA Certified® was developed in this context – to give beekeepers a clear, science-based way to demonstrate antibacterial activity in honey without relying on antibiotics or outdated testing approaches.
It provides an independent, practical framework that supports transparency, credibility, and confidence as industry expectations continue to evolve.
Apply for TA Certification®
If you’re ready to certify your honey with confidence, apply now or speak with the Y-Trace team to discuss whether TA Certified® is right for your product.
TA Certified® and Certified TA® are registered Certification Trade Marks of Y-Trace Pty Ltd.