UMF VS. MGO

When shopping for “Mānuka honey”, you’ll often see terms like “UMF™” and “MGO” on the label. But what do they really mean? Here's a simple guide to help you understand the difference—and how they work together to measure honey quality and health benefits.

UMF™ (Unique Mānuka Factor): New Zealand’s Quality Seal

UMF™ is a globally recognized quality certification issued by the “UMF™ Honey Association of New Zealand”, designed to ensure “authenticity, purity, and potency”.

It tests for four core natural markers found in genuine Mānuka honey:

Component	What It Measures	Why It Matters
Leptosperin	Purity	Found only in real Mānuka honey – confirms it's genuine.
MGO (Methylglyoxal)	Potency / Antibacterial power	The higher the MGO, the stronger the health benefits.
DHA	Shelf-life potential	Converts into MGO over time, ensuring long-lasting activity.
HMF	Freshness	Lower HMF = fresher, higher-quality honey.

UMF™ = A total score based on these four factors.

MGO (Methylglyoxal): The Key Active Ingredient

MGO is a natural compound found in Mānuka honey—responsible for its unique antibacterial properties.

- The higher the MGO number, the more powerful the honey.

- Common grades: MGO 83+, 261+, 512+,826+

- MGO is also one of the core components of the UMF™ rating.

MGO is included in the UMF™ rating—but UMF™ also checks for purity, freshness, and long-term effectiveness.

How They Work Together

UMF™ is the full quality standard, assuring that the honey is pure, potent, and authentic. MGO is a key marker of potency, indicating the honey’s strength against bacteria and microbes.