What is UMF Manuka Honey?

UMFTM Manuka Honey
What is UMFTM?

UMFTM stands for Unique Manuka factor and is the global, independent quality standard for Manuka Honey.
To receive a UMFTM certification, the Manuka honey must contain all three signature UMFTM compounds: Leptospira, DHA and Methylglyoxal (MGO).
Buying certified UMFTM Manuka honey guarantees that you are getting genuine honey with all its associated benefits.

Manuka Honey Production at Happy Valley

At Happy Valley, we are proud to manage the full honey production process. From our bees to our skilled beekeepers and honey extraction team, we produce our UMFTM honey in a natural, sustainable way.
We send every batch of our Manuka Honey for independent testing, to ensure it meets both our own and UMF’s standards for purity and quality.

The UMFTM Grading System Explained

The numbers you see next to the UMFTM logo represent different grades of honey. A higher number means the honey contains more benefits and can be used for more targeted usage.
If you are looking for Manuka Honey to include in your daily diet, UMFTM 5+ and 10+ levels can help you to support a healthy immune system.
When using Manuka to combat more targeted problems, a higher UMFTM grade such as 15+ or 20+ will provide greater benefits.

How to Identify Genuine UMFTM Manuka Honey

Follow these steps to check whether your Manuka Honey is UMFTM certified:

• Look for the quality UMFTM trademark clearly stated on the front label
•  Check that the honey is packaged and labelled in New Zealand
•  See where the honey is produced by a New Zealand company that is licensed to use the UMFTM trademark. You can find the list of licensed members at ⦁ Certified Brands for New Zealand M⦁ a⦁ nuka Honey | UMF™
•  Look for the UMFTM licensee’s brand name and license number – these should be on the front label
• Finally, alongside the UMFTM logo, there must be a rating number such as 5+ or 15+.

Why does not all Manuka Honey has a UMFTM Rating

Some honey does not contain enough MGO to receive a UMFTM grade and is best used as a general sweetener without the benefits of UMFTM rated honey.
Other companies choose to only state the MGO levels in their Manuka Honey – however, this honey is rarely independently tested.
Choosing a honey product with a UMFTM rating ensures you are buying genuine Manuka Honey, verified by the internationally valued UMFTM grading system for purity and quality.

Why does UMFTM Certified Manuka Honey cost more?

Manuka Honey often costs more than standard honey for several reasons.
The native New Zealand Manuka bush flourishes in remote, high-altitude areas, and only flowers for two to six weeks annually. These factors make it incredibly challenging for beekeepers to obtain and process pure Manuka Honey.
The powerful health benefits of honey derived from the Manuka bush also contribute to its high demand.

MGO to UMFTM Conversion Chart:

For reference, see below equivalent ratings for the MGO versus UMFTM grading system.