Australian Manuka adopts revolutionary Mark of Authenticity to meet international standards 

Media Release

30 May, 2018

  • MGO is internationally recognised as a key measure of Manuka antibacterial activity

  • UMF® ratings no longer meet labelling requirements

  • New Mark of Authenticity proves consumer confidence for Australian Manuka

The Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA), in partnership with leading scientists, has established a set of standards for authentic Australian Manuka honey.

Honey that carries the AMHA’s Mark of Authenticity must be pure, natural Manuka honey, produced entirely in Australia, and be tested by an independent, approved laboratory to ensure it meets minimum standards of naturally occurring methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and leptosperin.

“These compounds are all naturally occurring in authentic Manuka. The level of MGO determines the potency of the honey, while the amount of DHA shows that this potency came naturally from the bees collecting Manuka nectar, and the leptosperin is further proof of authentic Manuka”, explained honey chemistry expert, Dr Peter Brooks.

MGO is the centrepiece of the AMHA’s Australian Manuka honey rating system. This is in line with changing international standards and labelling requirements. Large international retailers, such as Holland and Barrett (one of the UK’s largest health food retailers with a growing presence in Europe and Asia), are moving away from the UMF® system, to MGO ratings and are soon to phase out UMF® labelling.

AMHA Chairman, Mr Paul Callander, stated “We are delighted and not surprised with this decision as MGO has increasingly become the preferred rating system across the world. It makes sense that large retailers are moving to the MGO system and, in doing so, they are making direct comparison between different products much easier for their customers.”

Head to the AMHA website for more information.