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When several years ago Manuka honey was first introduced to the health food industry customers would inquire what I thought about it. I had brought to the store a small quantity if only to serve the curious. Historically honey has always been prized for its wound healing and antibiotic activity. However Manuka created a sensation for its higher antibiotic activity, and marketing competition was intensified when an activity number was ascribed to Manuka that sort of blew off regular honeys because of their lower activity number. This activity rating number identified as UMF which stands for Unique Manuka Factor “measures” the levels of methyglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and leptosperin (presence of leptosporin validates Manuka authenticity). It was in 2011 when I introduced the Manuka honey to my customers. The UMF

 Over the span of 36 years in the health food business, I became aware of an interesting observation regarding the seasonal eating habits of people During the summer months, peoples diet lean heavily into the consumption of protein rich foods. Why? I suppose more picnic cookouts, basking in the sun, and higher level of physical activities. Consumption of fresh vegetables, salad greens and fruits rise during the summer. This is not a “dietary” phenomenon, but a true lifestyle change, which truly affects the body in a very positive way. Case in point – fewer colds. Do viruses take summer vacation?  With the advent of colder weather, I have observed people’s diet change again. You might say a reversal begins to take place and sadly all the good nourishment experienced gained

 It was my first day starting on a new job as a Process Engineer. As I approached the building a swarm of employees ran past me barely avoiding running into me. What startled me most was that all of them had red eyes and tears streaming down their face. Entering the building I noticed a faint chemical odor. Upon questioning everyone I was able to isolate the event that caused the problem that prompted the exodus of so many people. The problem started when a maintenance employee sprayed a conveyor chain with a lubricant, a routine procedure, but this time there were people working in this area who utilized a powerful UV lamp to expose film negatives unto a glass substrate. The UV light interacted with the lubricant’s chemicals to form free radicals (atoms