Manuka honey is a popular natural remedy for many ailments. In fact, it's been used by humans for thousands of years to treat everything from wounds to stomach ulcers. But how do you know if the label on your jar of manuka honey is authentic and genuinely antimicrobial? The answer lies in a grading system known as UMF and/or MGO.
UMF grading is determined by measuring the 3 signature compounds in Manuka honey that make it unique - its levels of Leptosperin, DHA and Methylglyoxal.
UMF grading is determined by measuring the 3 signature compounds in Manuka honey that make it unique - its levels of Leptosperin, DHA and Methylglyoxal. These substances are present in varying amounts, depending on how healthy the bees are and how much manuka flowers they eat when they work.
First, let's tackle what UMF grading isn't: it doesn't measure how much pollen is in your manuka honey (though this can help predict quality). And while some people use UMF as a shorthand to refer to any kind of quality standard for manuka honey, we don't recommend using "UMF" as an adjective for other types of honeys or products made from them.
The UMF grading process is set by the UMF Honey Association in New Zealand. They are the only association that can license beekeepers to label their honey as UMF.
UMF grading is determined by measuring the 3 signature compounds in Manuka honey that make it unique - its levels of Leptosperin, DHA and Methylglyoxal.
Only Manuka honey that contains these three ingredients qualifies for UMF grading.
The testing is done by an independent lab with ISO accreditation, meaning it can be used across borders for trading and selling.
You might be thinking, "What is ISO accreditation?" Well, it's basically a stamp of approval that shows the lab has met certain standards in their testing procedure. They have to do this because they're testing for things like vitamin C content and antibacterial activity, which are important (and often patented) products. Independent labs help ensure that the results are accurate and reliable by making sure that the tests are done correctly. The UMF Honey Association uses an independent third-party lab for its grading process—yes, even if you're working with only one specific beekeeper or apiary!
MGO refers to all products containing any amount of methylglyoxal. Manuka honey will have a higher concentration of this compound than regular honey, but even then it will only be around 3%.
Methylglyoxal (MGO) is found in high concentrations in manuka honey. It's an antibacterial compound that kills harmful bacteria and protects your body against infections. It's also found in many other foods, including chocolate and wine.
MGO isn't just confined to manuka honey but is also present at lower levels in other types of honey.
Manuka honey with an MGO rating below 83 has minimal health benefits and isn't considered therapeutic. In order to achieve this rating, the honey needs to have at least 83 mg/kg of methylglyoxal present in the batch.
Methylglyoxal is an antibacterial compound found in high concentrations in manuka honey. When it comes to MGO, there are two different types of grading systems: UMF and mg/kg. UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, which measures the amount of methylglyoxal within a batch of honey. If a batch contains at least 5% methylglyoxal (MG), then it's considered UMF+. The higher the number appears on your bottle of Manuka Honey, the more MGO it contains—and therefore, the more potent its healing properties will be for you!
MGO stands for methyglyoxal and refers to any product containing any amount of methylglyoxal. It's important not to conflate these two terms because they're completely different things! In some cases, people might use them interchangeably; however, if you're looking at buying a particular kind of product like supplements or skin care products containing MGO (with no reference to how much MGO each item has), just remember that these two terms vastly differ from one another when it comes down crunch time.
Conclusion
If you're looking for honey that has been tested and approved as having therapeutic and wellness properties look for the UMF certification. The UMF grading system is the only one approved by New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries and is recognized by trading partners around the world. It's important to note that not all manuka honey is UMF certified! Be sure to check before purchasing so that you know what kind of quality standard your purchase upholds, all North Island Manuka Honey is UMF certified for your peace of mind.