Testing for Authenticity
UMF - The Consumer's Protection and Guide
- Consumer confidence, guarantee and assurance
- The only grading system that measures the unique manuka signature markers in combination
- Trusted and revered internationally
- Integrity - Purity - Quality - Audited
Checklist to Identify Genuine UMF Manuka Honey
Genuine UMF Manuka Honey must comply with all of the following criteria:
- It has the quality trademark UMF clearly stated on the front label
- The honey is produced in New Zealand. Honey cannot be imported into New Zealand so the consumer is assured UMF Manuka Honey is truely and solely New Zealand honey
- It is packed into jars and labelled in New Zealand
- It is from a New Zealand company licensed to use the quality trademark UMF
- It has the New Zealand UMF Licensee's brand name and licence number on the label
- It has a rating number alongside the trademark UMF. A number without the name UMF does not identify genuine UMF Manuka Honey
- It is verified by the Official UMF Release Certificate which states the test results for the batch number shown on the jar label. The Official UMF Release Certificate presents test results for all four manuka markers (Leptosperin + Methylglyoxal + DHA + HMF)
- The Official UMF Release Certificate is a controlled document that is issued to UMF-labelled honey that passes all test criteria and is true-to-label claim. Consumers should request this document (The colour and layout should look exactly like the UMF Certificate below)
The UMF Grading System
The UMF grading system appraises natural markers found in Manuka Honey produced in New Zealand, and assures purity and quality
The key unique signature markers of manuka honey - Leptosperin, Methyglyoxal and DHA - must all be present, not just one in isolation
The UMF grading number is based on the combined levels of these key signature markers
UMF is the only testing and grading system that is based on the combined levels of the key manuka signature markers
The higher the UMF grade the greater the presence of the unique manuka honey attributes
- Low Grade: UMF5 to UMF9
- Medium Grade: UMF10 to UMF15
- High Grade: UMF16+
- Superior Grade: UMF22+
The Official UMF Release Certificate
The Official UMF Release Certificate is a controlled document that is issued to UMF-labelled honey that passes all test criteria and is true-to-label claim. Consumers should request this document (Colour and layout should look exactly like the UMF Certificate below).
The Official UMF Release Certificate verifying the authenticity of SummerGlow Manuka Honey UMF22+. 250gm jar, batch 221:
Testing for Authenticity - Protecting Your Rights as a Consumer
1.Testing to identify genuine Manuka Honey:
- Manuka honey is made up of several compounds that are found only in the honey from New Zealand's manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium)
- One of the most dominant compounds is Leptosperin
- Leptosperin is a good indicator of the "manukaness" of honey
- The higher the level of Leptosperin the greater the presence of the unique manuka honey attributes
- SummerGlow UMF rated Manuka Honey has Leptosperin levels 349, 689 and 853mg/kg and thoroughly exceeds the NZ MPI criteria for monofloral manuka honey showing it really is high grade monofloral manuka honey. All our honey is produced by our bees from manuka areas which we own and in which we have had hives for the past 45 years
2. Testing to show honey is not adulterated:
- HMF increases when honey is heated
- UMF Manuka Honey must have HMF below HMF40mg/kg
- SummerGlow UMF16+ Manuka Honey has low HMF levels HMF17mg/kg 27mg/kg and HMF28mg/kg showing we do not damage our honey with heat or adulteration
3. Testing for UMF grading levels:
- Manuka Honey is tested for DHA and for methyglyoxal (MGO) as these are present in Manuka Honey and help assess the grading level of the honey
- The combined results of all four tests (Leptosperin test + Methylglyoxal test + DHA test + HMF test) show the grading level for the honey
- To be graded UMF16+ Manuka Honey must have Leptosperin at least 200 and Methylglyoxal must be at least MG 570 and HMF must be less than HMF40
- SummerGlow UMF rated Manuka Honey far exceeds all quality requirements.
SummerGlow UMF rated Manuka Honey - Licence Number 1001 - Authenticity Verified
SummerGlow UMF16+ Manuka Honey: Superior Grade - Genuine - Natural - Unadulterated - Top Quality - Really Good honey
1. Batch 726. 250gm jar: Click here to Order & To See Official UMF Certificate
- Leptosperin 689mg/kg
- Methylglyoxal MG 612mg/kg
- DHA 1300mg/kg
- HMF 27mg/kg
- UMF grading 16.6
2. Batch 755. 500gm jar: See Official UMF Test Report Click here to order
- Leptosperin 349mg/kg
- Methylglyoxal MG 680mg/kg
- DHA 1150mg/kg
- HMF 28mg/kg
- UMF grading 17.8
SummerGlow Apiaries Ltd are licensed to use the quality trademark. Licence number 1001.
More About UMF - A Quality Trademark Protecting Your Rights as a Consumer
Make sure the honey you purchase is Genuine New Zealand UMF Manuka Honey
Look for the name UMF clearly stated on the front of the jar
Look for the number following the name UMF
- Low Grade: UMF5 to UMF9
- Medium Grade: UMF10 to UMF15
- High Grade: UMF16+
- Superior Grade: UMF22+
The higher the UMF grade the greater the presence of the unique manuka honey attributes
The UMF grading system appraises natural markers found in Manuka Honey, and assures purity and quality
More about The New Zealand Honey Research Discovery
The UMF Guarantee
The UMF grading system appraises natural markers found in Manuka Honey, and assures purity and quality
The UMF grading system is the only grading system that measures the unique manuka signature markers in combination
The name UMF guarantees the honey is:
- Natural unadulterated manuka honey
- Produced in New Zealand
- Has the attributes unique to manuka honey
- Packed and labelled in New Zealand
- True-to-label
The name UMF does not apply to honey in drums, etc still to be packed, nor to honey not packed or labelled in New Zealand
