What’s the difference between UMF and MGO?

When you’re exploring premium jars of Mānuka honey, you’ll almost certainly have noticed the two key ratings on the jar’s label - UMF and MGO. For many people, these abbreviations can be confusing - what do they really mean, which one matters more?

For many buyers, these letters can feel like a secret code. It’s not often that Mānuka honey brands take the time to explain why these codes are on the label and why they’re so important, which is why buying Mānuka honey can quickly become a confusing journey. 

However, the team at PURITI is committed to providing genuine, high-quality Mānuka honey, as well as making it easy for our customers to understand exactly what they’re buying. 

Today, we’re going to break down the UMF vs MGO differences in a simple and effective way. We’ll explain what the two rating systems measure, why they matter and how knowing the difference can help you to pick the right kind of honey for your needs. 

Whether it’s for daily wellness, cooking, or a stronger therapeutic boost, we’re here to make it easier to read Mānuka honey labels with confidence and understand the science behind the numbers. 

What is MGO?

MGO stands for “methylglyoxal. It’s a naturally-occurring compound that’s found in higher amounts of genuine Mānuka honey. MGO is the chemical that gives Mānuka honey some of its uniquely strong antibacterial properties - in simple terms, the more MGO present, the more potent (of that specific compound) that the honey will be. 

When you see a jar of Mānuka honey that’s labelled with MGO 250, or MGO 514, that label is indicating the milligram count of MGO per kilogram of Mānuka honey. 

Pros of the MGO rating:

• It gives one clear number, confirming how much of an active compound is contained within the jar of honey.

• It’s easier to compare across different brands of Mānuka honey.

• It’s useful if you’re simply focused on the strength of that particular compound of Mānuka.

Limitations of the MGO rating:

• It only measures one compound (MGO), it doesn’t tell you about the full profile of that honey such as the origin, authenticity or other markers.

• Without independent certification in some cases, there’s less guarantee about how the Mānuka honey was produced, or whether it’s truly Mānuka honey at all.

• MGO might change over time if the heating or storage isn’t ideal, so the number today may not reflect the potency later on.

So, while MGO might be a useful metric, the easiest way to summarise it would be that it tells ‘a part’ of the Mānuka honey’s story - it doesn’t tell the complete story. 

What is UMF?

UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor. It’s a trademarked grading system that was originally developed in New Zealand, in order to give buyers a reliable standard of quality around genuine Mānuka honey. 

Unlike MGO, which only considers one key marker, UMF takes into account at several key markers: 

• The MGO level (so, it includes the methylglyoxal measurement).

• Leptosperin - a chemical marker that’s only found in true New Zealand Mānuka honey, indicating the honey’s authenticity.

• DHA (dihydroxyacetone) - which indicates the precursor from which MGO forms (this helps track how the honey will mature).

• HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural - which indicates the freshness and proper handling/storage of the Mānuka honey (the lower the HMF, the better).

So, in a nice summary, UMF is a seal that gives you broader assurance of the Mānuka honey’s contents. It confirms that the honey is authentic, from the right region, well-handled and strong. 

Here at PURITI, we’ll consider and display both the MGO and UMF ratings on each jar of Mānuka honey, but our recommendation to buyers is to prioritise the UMF rating on a jar of honey, since it’s technically the ‘gold standard’. 

When you see UMF 10+ or UMF 15+, you’re looking at a holistic rating that has combined all of the above aspects. The higher the UMF rating, the more premium and potent the Mānuka honey. 

What This Means When Buying Mānuka honey

Now that you know the basics of UMF and MGO, here’s some things to keep in mind when browsing jars of Mānuka honey. 

First, always make sure that the jar clearly states the UMF licence number (for UMF-certified honey). If the label reads “UMF 10+” but has no licence of traceability, you might want to dig deeper before buying the jar. 

Next, make sure to check the MGO number too. A product with UMF 10+, for example, would always correspond with a certain approximate range of MGO (around 263 in this case), although the exact conversions may vary. 

Here’s a table below to help you determine the rough approximation:

Now, you might come across some jars only say “active”, or “bio-active” on the label, with no reference to recognised grading systems - these might not offer the same guarantee or authenticity as genuine UMF, so approach these jars with caution. 

Mānuka honey products will often have “Product of New Zealand” on the label - this is often a mark of reassurance that the honey is genuine, since Mānuka honey comes from a plant that’s native to New Zealand forests. If the product claims to contain Mānuka honey from anywhere else in the world, treat the product as a forgery. 

Another important note: storage matters. Even the strongest, most potent Mānuka honey will perform at its best when it’s kept in a cool, dark place and sealed properly. Poor storage can reduce potency, so verifying the storage quality of the product is another way to buy with more confidence. 

And finally, make sure that you match the grade of UMF (or MGO) to your needs and budget. If you’re looking for a jar of Mānuka honey to mix with your tea, or spread on your toast, buying a jar of UMF 20+ Mānuka honey would be a poor investment - 5+ or at the most, 10+ would better suit your needs. 

Why PURITI Emphasises The Use of UMF for Full Transparency

At PURITI, our commitment is to premium, traceable New Zealand Mānuka honey. We adhere to higher testing standards than usual, as well as ensuring that our jars are both verifiable and labelled correctly. 

As the industry grows and more grading system appear, you’ll see more variance in labels and claims, which is why we believe that using the UMF certification, alongside a clear MGO grade, gives our customers complete confidence of what’s contained within their jar of honey. 

We also know that a higher number doesn’t always suit everyone - it’s more about purpose and value. Daily wellness may not require the highest grade, what matters is authenticity, good storage and sourcing.

When choosing genuine, high-quality Mānuka honey, both the MGO and UMF ratings play an important role - but they’re not interchangeable. 

MGO gives you a clear measure of strength, while UMF offers a broader assurance of authenticity, quality and origin. The simplest takeaway for UMF vs MGO is to select a jar that shows both a credible MGO number and a valid UMF licence.

Understanding the difference between the two ratings ensures that you’re getting real New Zealand Mānuka honey that lives up to its premium promise. To learn more about Mānuka honey, or to browse PURITI’s range of trustworthy,high-quality products, check out ourwebsite.