How To Verify the UMF Rating On Your Mānuka Honey
Mānuka honey is one of the most counterfeited food products in the world. Demand has long outpaced supply, which has created a market with a host of products that range from legitimately certified to questionable or misleading.
The good news is that verifying the authenticity of your Mānuka honey takes less than five minutes. You just need to know what to look for.
UMF, MGO, and Other Labels: What's the Difference?
Walk down the honey aisle, and you'll see a range of labels: UMF, MGO, Bio Active, Active, and more. Most of these are self-reported ratings with no independent verification behind them.
UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor, and it's the only grading system governed by an independent body: the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA). To carry the UMF trademark, a honey producer must be a licensed UMFHA member, submit each batch for independent laboratory testing, and meet strict standards across four separate quality markers.
MGO (Methylglyoxal) ratings, by comparison, measure only one of those four markers. That's useful information, but it's an incomplete picture. A honey could show a strong MGO number while still being old, adulterated, or not genuinely from the Mānuka flower.
The UMF rating is the most rigorous standard available for Mānuka honey. Here's how to confirm yours is the real thing.
Step 1: Confirm It Is From New Zealand
Genuine UMF Mānuka honey must be produced, packed, and labeled in New Zealand. This is a quality control requirement. Packing overseas can increase the risk of dilution, contamination, or mislabeling before the product reaches you. Look for "Packed in New Zealand" on the label, or a clear statement of New Zealand origin, like ‘Product of New Zealand’.
Step 2: Check the UMF Trademark and License Number
Authentic UMF-certified Mānuka honey will display the official UMF trademark. This isn't something a brand can print without approval. Only licensed UMFHA members are permitted to use it.
As well as the trademark, look for a four-digit license number. This number is specific to the producer and links them to their UMFHA membership. You can cross-reference it against the UMFHA Licensee Directory on the UMF website to confirm that the brand is a verified member.
If the jar shows a UMF number but not a license number, treat it as a red flag.
What does UMF certification mean?
UMF certification means that the honey has been tested for 4 factors that distinguish Mānuka honey:
MGO (Methylglyoxal): This is the compound responsible for Mānuka honey's antibacterial properties. Higher MGO levels correspond to stronger potency, and this figure determines the UMF grade on the label.
Leptosperin: This is the marker that confirms genuine Mānuka flower origin. Leptosperin is a natural compound found only in nectar from the Leptospermum scoparium plant (Mānuka), native to New Zealand.
DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): DHA is the precursor to MGO. Over time, DHA converts into MGO, which means a healthy DHA level is confirmation that the honey's potency will hold up across its shelf life.
HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural): HMF levels indicate freshness. Honey that has been overheated or stored for too long will show elevated HMF levels. A low reading tells you the honey has been handled properly and hasn't degraded.
No other grading system tests for all four of these markers. That's what makes UMF the benchmark.
Seeing It In Practice: Verifying a Taylor Pass Honey Jar
Taylor Pass Honey Co. is a licensed UMFHA member, which means every batch undergoes the full four-factor testing process before it reaches you. The Taylor Pass Honey Co. license number is 2107.
To verify a Taylor Pass jar for yourself, find the four-digit UMFHA license number on the side label and confirm it against the UMFHA Licensee Directory. You can search by this license number or by entering Taylor Pass Honey into the search bar.
An Investment Worth Making
At Taylor Pass Honey Co., we recognize that Mānuka honey at the high potency end of the market is a significant purchase, and you should feel confident in what you're buying. That’s why we invest in independent testing and quality assurance. The UMF certification system is the highest standard available and exists precisely to give you confidence that the investment you are making in your purchase and your wellness is genuine.
Shop genuine, UMF-certified Taylor Pass Mānuka honey here, or find your local store here.
