The Buzz about UMF

Active Manuka Honey and the Unique Manuka Factor

To get the best Manuka Honey for you and your family, you need to understand a bit about UMF® - otherwise known as the 'Unique Manuka Factor'.

Now, while we don’t want to blind you with too much science, it’s important to know that the UMF® standard identifies and measures the antibacterial strength of Manuka Honey. 

To become a licensed UMF® user, Manuka Honey has to be laboratory tested by the Honey Research Unit of the University of Waikato in New Zealand and achieve a UMF® rating of 10 or more.  Honey with a UMF® below 10 is called Active Manuka Honey. 

Here comes the science…

Laboratory studies have shown that UMF® Manuka Honey is effective against a wide range of very resistant bacteria including the major wound-infecting bacteria and the stomach ulcer-causing bacteria helicobacter pylori.

So now you know!  If you want Manuka Honey with guaranteed levels of antibacterial activity, only purchase honey with UMF® 10 or higher written on the label.  If the label states ‘Manuka Honey 10+’ or similar, it is not UMF® rated honey.