UMF™ vs MGO for Mānuka Honey Explained

Summary of this article:

• Mānuka honey can be called UMF™ (Unique Mānuka Factor) certified when it has been lab tested specifically for the four indicators of potency, authenticity, purity, shelf life and freshness.
• MGO stands for methylglyoxal, one of the naturally occurring compounds found in mānuka honey and an MGO rating tells you about the concentration of MGO in the honey batch. 
• Whether you’re seeing a MGO or UMF™ rating on your honey, the general rule of thumb for both ratings is: the higher the number, the higher the potency of mānuka honey - even though they indicate different factors.

New Zealand mānuka honey is a unique natural product produced by bees collecting nectar from the native mānuka plant. It has become one of Aotearoa New Zealand's best-known premium honey products, valued for its naturally occurring compounds and research-tested natural wellness benefits. Because it’s so special, there needed to be a way to ensure the honey inside each jar is true and pure mānuka honey.

The Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand (MPI) has developed a science-based definition for mānuka honey, using four chemical markers and a DNA marker from mānuka pollen to authenticate genuine New Zealand mānuka honey and distinguish between monofloral honey (all the honey is from mānuka flowers) and multifloral mānuka honey (where bees have collected from other flowers as well as mānuka).

For anyone buying mānuka honey, however, the terminology on the jar can be confusing.

What does UMF™ 20+ actually mean? Is MGO the same thing as UMF™? And does a higher number always mean better honey?

Understanding what these ratings measure can make it much easier to compare products and choose a mānuka honey that suits you.

What does the UMF™ on a honey jar mean?

UMF™ stands for Unique Mānuka Factor and is used as a phrase to validate and certify mānuka honey. When honey is lab tested specifically for the four indicators of potency, authenticity, purity, shelf life and freshness, it can then be called UMF™ certified and given a numbered rating. The UMF rating on the honey summarises the over 2,300 components and key quality factors of mānuka honey into one number that’s easy to understand at a glance on the shelf. 

Tai Tokerau Honey uses the UMF™ certification and has UMF 5+ up to UMF 20+ mānuka honey for sale online. 

 What does MGO mean on a honey label?

MGO stands for methylglyoxal, one of the naturally occurring compounds found in mānuka honey. It is an important measure of potency, which is why MGO numbers are commonly displayed on mānuka honey labels.

This is where the difference between MGO and UMF™ can become confusing. You might see one jar labelled UMF™ 20+ and another labelled MGO 826+. The numbers look very different, but both relate to the potency of mānuka honey.

 MGO vs UMF™ honey - What’s the difference?

MGO is a measurement of a single compound, methylglyoxal. Because MGO can only be naturally occurring and cannot be added to honey, an MGO rating on your honey will reassure you that it is mānuka honey. The different MGO numbers tell you about the concentration of MGO in the batch. 

A UMF™ rating does take MGO into account, but also provides more information about the mānuka honey's authenticity, freshness and shelf life. For example, UMF™ 20+ requires a minimum MGO level of 826 mg/kg, but must also meet other indicators if using the UMF™ system.

You may notice not every mānuka honey uses UMF™ on their labels. This is because the UMF™ certification is regulated and individual brands are registered with the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA). An MGO rating on its own may appear on honey labels when the brand is not registered with the UMFHA.  It is now common to see both ratings on honey labels to avoid confusion on the shelf.

 So which rating should I look for on honey?

Whether you’re seeing a MGO or UMF™ rating on your honey, the general rule of thumb for both ratings is: the higher the number, the higher the potency of mānuka honey - even though they indicate different factors.

Tai Tokerau Honey mānuka honey has UMF™ ratings

For Tai Tokerau Honey, the high quality needed for a high UMF™ rating on mānuka  honey fits naturally with our approach to beekeeping and honey production. From our hives to the finished jar, we are proud to produce New Zealand mānuka honey and be part of an industry built around protecting the quality, authenticity and reputation of this distinctive New Zealand product.

Glossary 

UMF - Unique Mānuka Factor in honey.

MGO - Methylglyoxal, used as a key measure of potency in mānuka honey. 

Monofloral - Monofloral honey comes from bees foraging predominantly on one species of flower.  

Multifloral - Multifloral honey comes from bees foraging on a mix of flowers.