UMF Rating Explained: How to Understand Manuka Honey Labels

If you have ever looked at a jar of Manuka honey, you may have seen labels such as UMF 10+, UMF 15+, UMF 20+ or UMF 25+. For shoppers unfamiliar with Manuka grading, these numbers can be difficult to understand.

The UMF rating is part of a certification system used for New Zealand mānuka honey. It assesses more than just one compound and provides information about several quality characteristics.

For Australian consumers comparing Manuka honey products, understanding UMF alongside MGO can make product labels much easier to interpret.

What Does UMF Stand For?

UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor™. It is a trademarked quality and certification system operated by the Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association in New Zealand.

The UMF system uses a four-factor quality assurance test covering:

• MGO (methylglyoxal)
• Leptosperin
• DHA (dihydroxyacetone)
• HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural)

The system uses these factors to assess potency, authenticity, shelf life and freshness.

This is an important difference between UMF and a simple MGO rating.

What Is an MGO Rating?

MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound associated with Manuka honey.

MGO can be measured directly through laboratory testing and is commonly expressed in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), also known as parts per million. The Australian Manuka Honey Association identifies MGO as the central measurement in its Australian Manuka honey rating system.

MGO ratings include products such as MGO 100+, MGO 550+, MGO 850+ and MGO 1200+.

The basic principle is simple:

Higher MGO number = higher measured concentration of MGO.

However, MGO and UMF are different systems.

How Does the UMF Rating Work?

The UMF scale includes different grades, including UMF 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+ and 25+.

The official UMF quality table currently lists the following MGO reference concentrations:

These figures come from the UMF Association’s published four-factor quality specifications.

The important detail is that these are MGO reference levels within the UMF system, not a statement that MGO and UMF are the same thing.

What Does UMF 20+ Mean?

UMF 20+ is a high UMF grade.

According to the UMF Association’s published specifications, its MGO reference is approximately 829 mg/kg.

This is why MGO 850+ is sometimes described as being approximately comparable to UMF 20+ based on MGO concentration.

However, an MGO 850+ product is not automatically UMF 20+ certified. Actual UMF certification involves the broader four-factor system and the requirements of the UMF Association.

MGO 850+ vs UMF 20+

These two terms are often confused.

MGO 850+
Refers to the measured concentration of methylglyoxal.

UMF 20+
Represents a certified grade within the UMF system that uses MGO alongside Leptosperin, DHA and HMF.

The MGO reference for UMF 20+ is 829 mg/kg, so an MGO 850+ product may have a similar MGO concentration. But numerical similarity does not mean that the products have undergone the same certification process.

What Does UMF 25+ Mean?

UMF 25+ represents a higher grade on the UMF scale.

The published MGO reference for UMF 25+ is approximately 1,197 mg/kg.

This is why MGO 1200+ is often discussed as approximately corresponding to the MGO level associated with UMF 25+.

Again, this is a comparison of MGO concentration and should not be interpreted as proof of UMF certification.

What Are the Four UMF Quality Factors?

Understanding the four factors helps explain why UMF is different from an MGO-only label.

MGO — Potency

MGO is used within the UMF system as an indicator related to potency.

Leptosperin — Authenticity

Leptosperin is one of the markers considered within the UMF system for authenticity.

DHA — Shelf Life

DHA is a precursor to MGO and is included in the UMF framework as a factor related to shelf life.

HMF — Freshness and Quality

HMF, or hydroxymethylfurfural, is used within the system as a quality and freshness indicator. The UMF Association specifies an HMF limit of less than 40 mg/kg across the listed grades.

Together, these four factors provide a broader quality assessment than MGO concentration alone.

Is UMF the Same as Australian Manuka Honey Grading?

No.

Australian Manuka honey has its own quality and authenticity framework.

The Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) uses MGO as the centrepiece of its Australian Manuka honey rating system and uses scientific testing and traceability to assess authenticity.

The AMHA’s Mark of Authenticity requires qualifying products to be produced in Australia and independently tested against its specified MGO and DHA criteria.

Therefore, Australian consumers should not assume that a UMF label and an Australian MGO rating represent the same certification framework.

Why Should Consumers Check the Country of Origin?

Manuka honey can be produced in Australia and New Zealand, and both countries have developed systems for identifying and describing Manuka honey.

The AMHA states that Australian Manuka honey is produced by bees collecting nectar from Leptospermum plants. Australia has more than 80 native Leptospermum species.

When buying Manuka honey, therefore, check the country of origin alongside the rating.

What Should You Look for on a Manuka Honey Label?

A useful checklist includes:

MGO rating:
What concentration of methylglyoxal is stated?

UMF certification:
If UMF is claimed, does the product actually carry the UMF quality mark?

Country of origin:
Is the honey Australian or New Zealand mānuka?

Testing:
Is there credible independent laboratory verification?

Authenticity:
Does the product provide recognised certification or traceability information?

Ingredients and nutrition:
Check the full product label rather than relying only on the front of the jar.

Does a Higher UMF Rating Mean Better Honey?

A higher UMF grade indicates a higher level within the UMF grading system, but that does not mean every consumer needs the highest grade.

The choice can depend on intended use, flavour preference, budget and whether you specifically want a product certified under the UMF system.

Likewise, a high MGO rating does not automatically make a product the right choice for everyone.

Is UMF a Medical Dosage?

No.

A UMF rating is a product grading and certification measure, not a medical prescription.

Similarly, MGO concentration should not be interpreted as a dosage telling consumers how much honey to consume.

Manuka honey remains a food product unless a specific medical-grade preparation has been manufactured and approved for a clinical purpose.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the UMF rating makes Manuka honey labels much easier to read.

UMF is a certification system that evaluates four factors: MGO, Leptosperin, DHA and HMF. Its published specifications place UMF 20+ at an MGO reference of approximately 829 mg/kg and UMF 25+ at approximately 1,197 mg/kg.

This explains why MGO 850+ and MGO 1200+ are sometimes compared with UMF 20+ and UMF 25+, respectively. However, an MGO rating is not the same as UMF certification.

For Australian consumers, it is useful to consider the rating together with country of origin, authenticity, independent testing, traceability and product labelling. Australian Manuka honey also has its own science-based quality framework through the AMHA.

Once you understand what each number and certification actually represents, you can compare Manuka honey products more confidently and avoid confusing a simple MGO measurement with a broader certification system.