UMF

What is UMF?

UMF is an acronym for ‘Unique Manuka Factor’ and is an antibacterial property which is present in Active Manuka Honey. UMF is a floral property that comes from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush (indigenous to New Zealand) and has been found to posses extraordinary healing properties. This antibacterial activity is not present in any other type of honey.

There is a measuring system that rates the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey. The UMF is determined by comparing the antibacterial activity of a given honey with the antibacterial activity of antiseptic phenol (carbolic) using a standard lab test. For example, a UMF rating of 10 is equivalent to the potency of a 10% solution of phenol.

The UMF rating system goes by a scale from 0 to 30. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 0-9 may not have the antibacterial potency to yield the medicinal results people have come to expect from Manuka Honey and should only be used as a sweetener. Manuka Honey UMF 10 and higher is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use.

The higher the UMF rating, the higher the antibacterial potency. However, Manuka Honey with an extraordinarily high UMF rating is not desirable either. For example, Manuka Honey UMF 20 or higher is very rare, ridiculously expensive and completely overkill. In fact, there have been reports of people experiencing sensitivity from using Manuka Honey that potent in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. Therefore, a medium range is recommended and most desirable (i.e. UMF 16).

In New Zealand, Manuka Honey production is regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Industry. The UMF trademark can only be used by UMF licensed suppliers who meet set criteria which include regular monitoring and auditing of the quality of their honey. UMF Manuka Honey from a New Zealand supplier that is licensed to use the UMF trademark is the only honey guaranteed to have the special UMF healing properties and be of the same medical-grade quality that is referred to in research studies and clinical trials.

When the UMF trademark is listed on the label of a Manuka Honey jar, it is a guarantee that the Manuka Honey has the special UMF antibacterial property to the level indicated on the label (i.e. UMF 16). This guarantee only applies to honey that comes from New Zealand suppliers that are licensed to use the UMF trademark.

Genuine UMF Manuka Honey must comply with the following criteria:

• It has the UMF trademark clearly stated on the front label.
• It is packed into jars and labelled in New Zealand.
• It is from a New Zealand supplier licensed to use the UMF trademark.
• It has the supplier’s license number on the label.
• It has a rating of UMF10 or higher.

If Manuka Honey meets the above listed criteria, it is guaranteed to be active, medical-grade Manuka Honey that is suitable for therapeutic use. If not, the antibacterial potency of the Manuka Honey is questionable.

There are reports that a new rating system is being developed that may eventually  supersede the UMF rating system in the future.  It is known as the Molan Gold Standard, named after Dr. Peter Molan of the University of Waikato, the standard’s developer.

UMF vs. MGO

Among the many producers of Manuka Honey  in New Zealand, the UMF rating system is the industry standard.  The UMF trademark is owned by the Active Manuka Honey Association which regulates a certain portion of the industry.  One bee farm in New Zealand was kicked out of the association and no longer has the legal right to utilize the UMF trademark.  In retaliation, this particular bee farm developed their own rating system which measures the levels of Methylglyoxal in Manuka Honey.  Methylglyoxal is one of the compounds found in Manuka Honey that accounts for its antibacterial potency but not all of it.  Nevertheless, this company utilizes their own rating system and has published negative press about the UMF rating system in an effort to promote their own.  Please know that information available on the internet that states MGO Manuka Honey is better than UMF Manuka Honey is merely propaganda.