UMF
UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor. According to Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association that manages the UMF trademark, the quality of manuka can be determined by the presence of unique signature compounds such as Leptosperin, DHA and Methylglyoxal. The more the unique signature compounds, the better is the purity and quality of the manuka honey, and the higher will be the UMF rating of the manuka honey.
MGO
The MGO grading system is managed by Manuka Health New Zealand Limited. It measures specifically the amount of Methylglyoxal (MGO) compound in manuka honey. The concept is similar to UMF grading. The higher the amount of Methylglyoxal in the manuka, the better is the purity and quality of the manuka.
UMF-MGO Dual Label
To help consumers better understand and compare between UMF and MGO manuka honey, certain producers have started dual-labelling their products with both the UMF and MGO ratings. At a glance of the UMF-MGO dual label (see the example below), consumers can instantly understand the quality of the honey benchmarked according to both UMF and MGO standards.
UMF and MGO ratings compared
The following table is a guide for how to compare between UMF and MGO ratings. Please note that some brands of manuka honey are rated MG instead of MGO, and both are the same term referencing to the active ingredient called Methylglyoxal.
| UMF RATING | MINIMUM MGO* METHYLGLYOXAL |
Remarks |
| UMF 5+ | MGO 83 | UMF 5+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 83 |
| UMF 6+ | MGO 113 | UMF 6+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 113 |
| UMF 7+ | MGO 146 | UMF 7+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 146 |
| UMF 8+ | MGO 182 | UMF 8+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 182 |
| UMF 9+ | MGO 222 | UMF 9+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 222 |
| UMF 10+ | MGO 263 | UMF 10+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 263 |
| UMF 11+ | MGO 308 | UMF 11+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 308 |
| UMF 12+ | MGO 356 | UMF 12+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 356 |
| UMF 13+ | MGO 406 | UMF 13+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 406 |
| UMF 14+ | MGO 459 | UMF 14+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 459 |
| UMF 15+ | MGO 514 | UMF 15+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 514 |
| UMF 16+ | MGO 572 | UMF 16+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 572 |
| UMF 17+ | MGO 633 | UMF 17+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 633 |
| UMF 18+ | MGO 696 | UMF 18+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 696 |
| UMF 19+ | MGO 761 | UMF 19+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 761 |
| UMF 20+ | MGO 829 | UMF 20+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 829 |
| UMF 21+ | MGO 899 | UMF 21+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 899 |
| UMF 22+ | MGO 971 | UMF 22+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 971 |
| UMF 24+ | MGO 1122 | UMF 24+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 1122 |
| UMF 25+ | MGO 1200 | UMF 25+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 1200 |
| UMF 26+ | MGO 1282 | UMF 26+ Manuka has a minimum MGO rating of 1282 |
* MGO is measured as mg/kg (ppm)
