How to Spot Fake Manuka Honey: A Shopper’s Guide

Manuka honey comes from bees that forage on the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium plant, which grows naturally across New Zealand. The flowering season is short, weather-dependent and geographically constrained, which places a hard ceiling on annual production.

Estimates vary, but industry figures suggest New Zealand produces roughly 1,700 tonnes of legitimate Manuka honey per year, while more than 10,000 tonnes are sold globally under the Manuka label. The arithmetic is stark: a large proportion of what is marketed as Manuka honey cannot be genuine.

This supply-demand imbalance, combined with the premium price Manuka honey commands, creates a strong financial incentive for adulteration. Honey has been ranked among the most fraud-prone foods globally. A European Commission investigation found that 46% of honey samples tested were suspected of being adulterated with extraneous sugar sources. While that investigation covered honey broadly (not just Manuka), it highlights how widespread the problem is across the industry.

Fake Manuka honey does not always involve outright fraud. In many cases, the deception behind fake Manuka honey is subtler than you might expect. Common methods include:

• Blending with cheaper honeys: Genuine Manuka honey is mixed with lower-cost varieties (such as clover or kanuka honey) to increase volume while still carrying a Manuka label.
• Sugar syrup adulteration: Some producers dilute honey with rice syrup, corn syrup or cane sugar syrup. Because the carbohydrate profiles are similar, this can be difficult to detect without laboratory testing.
• Repackaging outside New Zealand: Bulk drums of honey are exported from New Zealand and repackaged overseas. During this process, the honey may be blended, diluted or mislabelled before reaching retail shelves.
• Vague or misleading labelling: Terms like "active", "bio-active" or "100% pure honey" can give the impression of authenticity without actually confirming the product is genuine Manuka honey.

Understanding these tactics is the first step in protecting yourself from fake Manuka honey when shopping.

Two grading systems appear most commonly on Manuka honey labels: UMF™ and MGO. Understanding what each measures will help you judge the authenticity and quality of a jar.

UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor)

UMF™ is a quality trademark administered by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), an independent New Zealand organisation founded in 1998. The UMF™ grading system tests for four key markers:

1. Methylglyoxal (MGO): the compound responsible for Manuka honey's antibacterial properties
2. Leptosperin: a marker unique to genuine Manuka nectar that confirms botanical origin
3. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): a precursor to MGO that indicates the honey's maturation potential
4. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): a freshness indicator that confirms the honey has not been overheated or stored for too long

• To carry the UMF™ trademark, a producer must hold a valid UMFHA licence, and the honey must be packed and labelled in New Zealand. You can verify any UMF™ licence number directly on the UMFHA website.

MGO (Methylglyoxal)

MGO ratings indicate the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey at the time of testing, measured in milligrams per kilogram. A higher number means a higher concentration. For example, MGO 100+ contains at least 100 mg/kg of methylglyoxal, while MGO 500+ contains at least 500 mg/kg.

The important distinction is that an MGO rating on its own confirms only the methylglyoxal level. It does not verify the honey's botanical origin, freshness or whether it has been adulterated. This is why UMF™ is generally considered a more comprehensive certification, as it tests across multiple markers rather than relying on a single compound.

That said, a clearly stated MGO rating from a reputable New Zealand producer is still a useful quality indicator, particularly when combined with other checks on the label.

When you pick up a jar of Manuka honey, run through the following checks. If the product passes all of them, you can buy with reasonable confidence. If it fails on more than one or two, it is worth looking elsewhere.

1. Country of origin: The label should clearly state that the honey is from New Zealand. If the origin is vague, mentions multiple countries, or is absent altogether, treat it as a red flag.
2. Packed in New Zealand: Look for confirmation that the honey was packed and sealed in New Zealand. Honey that was exported in bulk and repackaged overseas has a higher risk of being tampered with.
3. UMF™ trademark and licence number: A UMF™ grade on the label (such as UMF™ 5+, UMF™ 10+ or UMF™ 15+) with a visible licence number is one of the strongest indicators of authenticity. You can verify this number on the UMFHA website.
4. MGO rating: If the honey carries an MGO rating rather than UMF™, check that the number is clearly stated and that the producer is a recognised New Zealand brand.
5. Monofloral or multifloral classification: Genuine Manuka honey exported from New Zealand must be labelled as either monofloral or multifloral under MPI requirements. If neither term appears, the honey may not have passed MPI testing.
6. Batch or lot number: A traceable batch number allows you to verify testing results. Many reputable producers offer online batch lookup tools where you can view the actual test certificate for your jar.

Knowing what to look for is only half the picture. It also helps to recognise the tactics commonly used to make fake Manuka honey appear legitimate on store shelves.

Terms that sound official but are not

Labels that use terms like "Active", "Bio Active", "Total Activity" or "TA" without a UMF™ or MGO rating are not following New Zealand government labelling guidelines. The "active" grading system measures peroxide activity, which is found in most honeys and is not unique to Manuka. The New Zealand government has restricted the use of this terminology for exported Manuka honey because it can be misleading.

"100% pure" does not mean "100% Manuka"

A jar labelled "100% pure honey" or "100% New Zealand honey" may be entirely genuine honey, but that does not mean it is Manuka. Always look for the specific Manuka classification (monofloral or multifloral) alongside a UMF™ or MGO rating.

Suspiciously low prices

Genuine Manuka honey is expensive to produce. If a price seems too good to be true, especially for higher UMF™ or MGO grades, it almost certainly is. While pricing alone is not proof of fraud, it is a reliable initial filter.

The most reliable way to avoid fake Manuka honey is to buy from retailers that specialise in genuine, certified products and that provide full transparency about sourcing and testing. With fake Manuka honey so prevalent, choosing a trusted source matters more than ever.

When choosing a retailer, look for:

• UMF™-certified products from licensed New Zealand producers
• Clear MGO and UMF™ ratings with verifiable batch or lot numbers
• Traceability information that connects the jar back to the hive and the beekeeper
• Educational resources that help you understand what you are buying, rather than relying on vague marketing claims

Manuka Hut stocks only UMF™-certified Manuka honey sourced from New Zealand, with every product independently tested and traceable. If you are unsure which strength is right for you, the Manuka Hut blog covers the differences between UMF™ and MGO ratings in detail.

Fake Manuka honey remains a significant issue in the global honey market, but it is not one that consumers are powerless against. The combination of New Zealand's MPI testing standard, the UMF™ certification system, and clear labelling requirements gives you practical tools to verify authenticity before you buy.

The checklist is straightforward: confirm the honey is from New Zealand, check that it was packed in New Zealand, look for a UMF™ trademark with a licence number or a clearly stated MGO rating, and verify that the label specifies monofloral or multifloral. If any of these details are missing or vague, consider it a reason to look more carefully before purchasing.

Taking a few extra seconds to read the label properly is the simplest and most effective way to ensure you are getting genuine Manuka honey, not a fake Manuka honey product dressed up to look like one.

• Supply does not match demand: Far more honey is sold globally under the Manuka label than New Zealand actually produces, making fake Manuka honey a widespread and persistent problem.
  
  
• Certification matters: The UMF™ grading system tests across four markers (MGO, leptosperin, DHA and HMF) and is currently the most comprehensive way to verify Manuka honey authenticity.
  
  
• Read the label carefully: Genuine Manuka honey should state its New Zealand origin, show a monofloral or multifloral classification, carry a UMF™ or MGO rating, and include a traceable batch number.