UMF Manuka Honey is honey that has passed the grading and testing criteria of the UMFHA (Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association).
A Manuka honey company must be a member of the UMFHA to be able to use the UMF grading icons on their products.
The UMFHA is unique because it tests Manuka honey jars randomly off shelves all around the world.
This means that if a company says they are UMF certified and their Honey is a certain UMF number that the levels of MGO in the Honey will be guaranteed to stay at that level for the best before date on the jar.
It is important to note that honey doesn’t really go off, so a best before date is not a true indication of the honey being edible.
Instead the honey Can be consumed, normally for many many years. It is said that opened Egyptian tombs still had edible honey after hundreds of years. Storage in darker, cooler locations will help youR Manuka honey last longer.
While the New Zealand Government and Ministry for Primary Industries set testing standards for Manuka Honey to be approved for export, it really specifically looks at whether a Manuka Honey is a monofloral or multifloral (Manuka honey blend).
The UMF grading system includes additional testing to ensure there are no signs of adulteration of the Manuka Honey.
Typically, you can have more confidence in buying a UMF graded Manuka honey as the companies belonging to the association have to meet strict criteria to be members.
The extra checks and testing, plus the international testing and checks that are performed, can give piece of mind when purchasing.
