TA Certified®
Technical and Certification Details
This page provides detailed technical, methodological, and governance information for those who require a deeper understanding of TA Certified®.
You do not need to review this information to apply for TA Certified®.
It is provided to support transparency, due diligence, and informed decision-making.
Overview of TA Certified®
TA Certified® is a registered Australian Certification Trade Mark administered by Y-Trace Pty Ltd. It certifies that the Total Antibacterial Activity (TA) of a specific honey batch has been measured using a defined laboratory method and assessed against established certification requirements. Certification is:
- Batch-specific
- Point-in-time
- Based on independent laboratory testing
- Governed by formal rules, audits, and licensing conditions
TA Certified® does not certify quality, purity, origin, or health outcomes.
What Total Activity (TA) Measures
Total Activity (TA) is a measure of the antibacterial activity of honey under controlled laboratory conditions.
It reflects the combined antibacterial effects of:
- Peroxide activity (generated enzymatically within honey)
- Non-peroxide activity (arising from naturally occurring honey constituents)
TA is expressed as a numerical value (e.g. TA10–TA50) aligned to measured laboratory results.
TA testing does not assess clinical efficacy or therapeutic outcomes in humans.
Test Methodology (AAV Lite)
TA testing under the TA Certified® scheme is conducted using the AAV Lite modified broth microdilution method, developed and validated by Green et al. (2020).
This method:
Uses a liquid medium to ensure complete interaction between honey and bacteria
Employs machine-based optical density measurement to reduce subjectivity
Follows established microbiological standards for repeatability and consistency
Testing is performed against two reference bacterial strains:
- Escherichia coli
- Staphylococcus aureus
These organisms are commonly used in antimicrobial testing and provide a robust, comparative assessment of antibacterial activity.
TA Score Ranges
| TA10–TA15 | TA20–TA30 | TA35–TA50 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lower measured antibacterial activity |
Moderate measured antibacterial activity |
Higher measured antibacterial activity |
TA scores:
- Apply only to the batch tested
- Reflect laboratory conditions at the time of analysis
- Are not a ranking of honey quality or value
- Natural variation between honey types is expected and normal
Certification Requirements
To qualify for TA Certified®, a honey batch must meet all certification requirements, including:
- Compliance with the FSANZ Standard for Honey
- Testing using the approved AAV Lite method
- Declaration that antibiotics were not used in honeybee disease management for the batch
- Batch-level traceability
- Submission of required documentation
- Acceptance of audit and licensing conditions
Certification is granted only where all requirements are satisfied.
Approved Laboratories and Consistency
TA testing for certification is conducted by Approved Service Providers authorised by Y-Trace.
To ensure consistency across laboratories:
- Participating laboratories undertake ring testing
- Results are compared across independent labs
- Approved status is maintained through ongoing review and periodic re-testing
This framework supports reliability and reproducibility of TA results.
Governance and Independence
TA Certified® operates under published Certification Rules that have been formally assessed and approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Key governance features include:
- Independent auditing
- Defined certification rules and enforcement mechanisms
- Licensing controls governing use of the Certification Mark
- Separation between testing, certification, and commercial honey production
Y-Trace does not produce or trade honey.
Use of the TA Certified® Mark
The Certified TA mark may only be used:
- By licensed Certified Users
- In relation to approved, certified batches
- With the correct TA number displayed
- In accordance with licensing terms and usage guidelines
The mark must not be used:
- As a general brand badge
- On uncertified batches
- In a way that implies medicinal or therapeutic claims
Important Limitations
TA Certified®:
- Does not assess flavour, aroma, colour, or floral origin
- Does not guarantee purity or provenance
- Does not replace regulatory food safety compliance
- Does not constitute a health or medicinal claim
It provides an analytical certification of antibacterial activity only, based on defined testing conditions.
Further information
For application details, pricing, and sample requirements, please enquire with us now.
TA Certified® and Certified TA® are registered Certification Trade Marks of Y-Trace Pty Ltd.