How To Read Mānuka Honey Labels

If you’ve ever stood in front of a jar of Mānuka honey, wondering what all the numbers and letters mean, you’ll join the club of most people who purchase this highly sought-after product for the first time. 

Mānuka honey is one of New Zealand’s most treasured natural products, but the way it’s labelled can be confusing for first-time customers. Whether you’re buying Mānuka honey for everyday use or, to gift to someone special, knowing how to read a Mānuka honey label will give you reassurance that what you’re purchasing is legitimate, high-quality and, most important, suited for your purpose. 

In this guide, we’ll break down all of the language on the packaging that explains what’s inside the jar. We’ll explain what the key terms mean, why they matter and how to pick the best MGO level for Mānuka honey. We’ll also share what makes PURITI the best choice for online Mānuka honey purchase. 

Let’s get started!

Things To Spot On The Jar

When you pick up a jar of Mānuka honey, the label should tell a clear and honest story. A genuine brand of authentic Mānuka honey isn’t just worried about their branding - they’re focused on authenticity, which their label should easily communicate. 

Here’s the key stuff to keep an eye out for when evaluating the jar. 

Recognised Certification

The first thing to check on the label is whether the honey carries a recognisedcertification mark, most commonly the ‘UMF’ (Unique Mānuka Factor) mark. UMF certification matters because it means:

• The honey has been independently tested

• It meets strict standards for authentic New Zealand Mānuka honey

• It contains verified levels of key Mānuka markers

Only licensed producers are allowed to use the UMF trademark, and every batch is both tested and audited to make sure they’re meeting the correct standards. If a jar claims to be Mānuka honey, but it doesn’t show any recognised certification, that’s a big red flag. 

Certification protects your purchase - keep that in mind. 

Understanding UMF & MGO

Once you’ve found the certification, the next thing to do is read the grade. This is often wherethe MGO vs UMF Mānuka honey debate begins for shoppers.

You’ll usually see:

• A UMF number (for example - UMF 10+, UMF 25+, UMF 31+)

• A corresponding MGO number (for example, MGO 300+, MGO 850+, MGO 1200+)

These numbers tell you the strength and potency of the honey. MGO, or methylglyoxal, is the naturally occurring compound that gives Mānuka honey its unique properties. The higher the MGO number, the more concentrated the honey is. 

On the other hand, UMF looks at MGO - but also other key Mānuka markers. It’s a broader measure of quality, checking not just strength but authenticity as well. When comparing MGO vs UMF Mānuka honey metrics, remember that UMF is a broader measure of quality, checking not just strength but absolute authenticity as well.

A good label will clearly show you both, so you know exactly what you’re buying. 

Read Beyond the Big Numbers

This is where many people stop, but it’s also where the counterfeit and misleading products hide. The key thing to remember is that authentic Mānuka honeyis a New Zealand product - which means it should have direct advertised links to its Kiwi origins. 

A genuine Mānuka honey label should clearly state one of the following:

• 100% New Zealand Mānuka honey

• Tested and/or Packed in New Zealand

• A batch number for traceability

• Producer or packer details

If a label uses vague language, like ‘made with Mānuka’ or ‘Mānuka blend’, that usually means it’s not pure Mānuka honey - even if the jar looks premium. Clear, specific language is a great sign of transparency. If the label feels deliberately vague, that’s worth questioning. 

Why Labelling Matters So Much

Mānuka honey is valuable because it’s rare. The Mānuka tree only grows in New Zealand, harvests are seasonal and high-grade honey (particularly the ultra-exclusive UMF 31+ jar) is limited. That combination makes it a target for misuse and mislabelling.

A correct Mānuka honey label matters because it:

• Protects consumers from fake or diluted products

• Ensures that you’re paying for actual potency

• Maintains trust in New Zealand products

Without strict labelling and testing, any honey could be sold as ‘Mānuka’ - even if it has little or no activeMānuka content. 

That’s why independent testing, certification and honest labelling aren’t a ‘nice to have’ - rather, they’re essential. Unfortunately, not all jars on the shelf are what they claim to be. Here are some of the common warning signs to keep an eye out for. 

No Certification, Just Big Claims

If a jar has bold health claims, but no recognised grading system, be cautious. Words are easy enough to print - a certification is harder to earn. 

MGO Listed Without Context

Some products list MGO numbers without explaining testing, verification or batch control on their website. If you are looking for the best MGO level for Mānuka honey, it must be a verified level and without independent testing, these numbers don’t mean much. 

It’s worth checking out the website of the brand you’re buying from - just to make double sure. 

No Traceability

If you can’t trace the honey back to New Zealand - through batch numbers, producer information or authentication tools - you’re making a big risk in your investment.

Price That Feels Too Good to be True 

High-grade Mānuka honey is expensive to produce. Extremely cheap prices often mean low potency, blends, or non-genuine products. 

A good label doesn’t confuse you - it educates you. It should clearly explain what grade you’re buying, it should show verified strength and make it easy to confirm the jar’s authenticity. You should also find consistency across every jar - this transparency builds trust, especially for customers who might be buying Mānuka honey for the first time .

How PURITI Makes Label Reading Simple

PURITI was created with one clear goal in mind: to remove confusion and raise the bar for Mānuka honey quality. Every jar of honey we produce displays the UMF certification clearly, shows verified MGO levels and is tested far beyond the minimum requirements. 

Our jars are also packed in New Zealand and can be traced back to the very hives they were harvested from. They also include anti-counterfeit protection - you can read more about thathere. 

Rather than relying on marketing language, our labels speak for themselves. They’re designed to give you clarity, not guesswork. So whether you’re choosing an everyday Mānuka honey product or a rare, high-grade honey, the information you need is right there on the jar. 

If you’re keen to learn more about PURITI’s standards, you can do so in our earlier article - we test every batch of Mānuka honey with the strictest processes, in order to guarantee a jar that delivers exactly what’s promised on the label.

Feel Confident With Every Purchase

Standing in front of a shelf of Mānuka honey jars shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. It can do, because the labels don’t have graphics and terms that are commonly used in the wider honey world, but understanding the ‘code’ of Mānuka honey is the gamechanger that reassures your product choice.

Make sure that whenever you buy a jar of Mānuka honey that you first brush up on your understanding of UMF, MGO and 100% New Zealand origin. Also, look for the gold standard of independent certification - in doing this, you’ll move from a confused shopper to a Mānuka connoisseur. 

The label is more than marketing; every sticker is a promise of potency and purity. When you know how to spot the markers of authenticity, you can invest in your health (or a gift for a loved one) with peace of mind. PURITI willcontinue to lead the way by making our labelling process as transparent as possible, and we hope every other Mānuka honey retailer continues to do the same. 

Happy tasting!