Is Your Mānuka Honey Authentic? How To Spot Real vs Fake

Ever felt a little uneasy every time you’ve bought a jar of Mānuka honey, wondering whether what you just purchased was the real deal? You’re not alone. 

Authentic Mānuka Honey has garnered quite the reputation over the years - people across the globe are now massive fans of the natural product that’s cultivated from the natural Mānuka plant, based in New Zealand. 

Unfortunately, with its increased reputation for amazing wellbeing benefits and a high price tag, it’s also become a target for fakes. It’s a bit like buying a designer handbag - you want to buy the genuine article, but how can you tell? 

That’s where PURITI comes in. We’ll walk you through the steps to determine real vs fake Mānuka honey, helping you understand the process of buying the genuine product instead of a potential knock-off. 

As a trusted Mānuka honey retailer, we understand the importance of trusting what the label says, so we’ll also touch on the processes we follow to ensure that we provide the authentic, New Zealand creation that’s become a worldwide phenomenon. 

Fake vs Real Mānuka Honey - Buying a Reputable Product

Why all the fuss about fake honey in the first place? Well, authentic Mānuka honey is special. 

It comes from the bees that pollinate the Mānuka tree, which only grows in New Zealand. This unique source led to the creation of a type of honey that’s become well-known for its wellbeing benefits - from   immune support to   anti-inflammatory properties that work great for skincare application. 

Unfortunately, when there’s money to be made, there’s people keen to rip off the everyday buyers and capitalise on the product’s popularity. Fake Mānuka honey might be mixed with cheaper honey, or worse, may not contain any Mānuka whatsoever. 

But it’s not just about getting ripped off. Consuming fake, or adulterated honey could be risky. You’ll never be 100% sure what’s been put inside the product - so you may not be getting the health benefits you’re expecting and in some cases, could even be consuming something not safe. 

Plus, the fake stuff ends up hurting the real beekeepers and producers, like our hard-working team at PURITI, who tirelessly labour to bring you prime New Zealand honey. That’s why choosing the right retail Mānuka honey source is essential. 

Spotting The Difference: Ensuring You’re Buying Authentic Mānuka Honey

So, let’s get straight into what to look for when trying to buy the right stuff. 

The key is always in the labelling of the product. You’ve probably seen the “UMF” and “MGO” lettering on honey products in the past. MGO stands for “Methylglyoxal”, which  is an organic compound that naturally forms in Mānuka. UMF stands for “Unique Mānuka Factor” - it’s a more comprehensive certification that takes into account more factors than just MGO. 

Both of these grades, however, determine the strength and purity of each jar of Mānuka honey. In order for a honey product to be registered as MGO or UMF certified, it must pass a series of stringent quality, grading and rating tests determined by the Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association. 

The higher the numbers, the more of the correct compounds that are found within the jar of Mānuka honey. It’s a way of verifying that the honey product you’re buying is authentic Mānuka honey. So, when you’re trying to determine whether your Mānuka honey product is legitimate, start by looking for those numbers. 

If the label registers either of those grades and specifies the level, you’re off to a good start. To further check the ratings, visit the official   UMF website. A reputable Mānuka honey retailer, like PURITI, will be registered - so you’ll be able to verify the ratings. 

Also, note that the MGO and UMF numbers should correlate, so if you see a high MGO number, you should also see a corresponding UMF number. To further clarify the ratings,   visit this article. 

Another key way of determining the authenticity of your Mānuka honey is by verifying its source. Real Mānuka honey comes from New Zealand, so look for “product of New Zealand” on the label - that’s your big clue to an authentic Mānuka honey product. 

There’s also lab testing - a hugely important step within the process of crafting Mānuka honey. When a batch of Mānuka honey has been harvested and processed, the next critical step within its formation is rigorous testing that determines those MGO and UMF grades we touched on earlier. 

You’ll want to buy Mānuka honey from brands that use independent labs. These labs will test for things like Leptosperin - a compound that’s only found in Mānuka honey. The certifications are also important, they show that the honey meets certain requirements set by independent food agencies. Any respectable retail honey operation will provide these. 

There’s also a number of slightly less definitive ways to verify the Mānuka honey is legitimate. 

The look and feel of the product should be consistent with a Mānuka product - genuine Mānuka honey has a rich, golden colour and a thick, creamy texture. Fake honey might look too light or watery. Then there is the price tag - let’s be frank, Mānuka honey isn’t cheap. It’s a premium product, and that’s reflected in the price. So if somebody is selling you a $30 jar of UMF 25+ Mānuka honey (which usually retails around $500), you’re being scammed. 

Finally, be sure to research the company you’re buying from. How long have they been around? What are their customers saying? Look for the brands that are transparent about their sourcing and testing. Read reviews, check their website and ensure they have a good reputation. 

Buying from PURITI - 100% Authentic Mānuka Honey

At PURITI, we take authenticity seriously - seriously enough to write an entire blog article about it. 

We know it’s important to you, so it’s important to us that every one of our products meet the standards we ask you to measure every product against. Here’s how we validate our Mānuka honey as the real deal:

Our Mānuka honey is locally sourced from the remote ranges of New Zealand where the Mānuka tree is grown. Every batch of honey is harvested by   a team of highly trained beekeepers who demonstrate ethical practice in every dimension of their work. 

Each batch is then independently tested and certified. We’re licensed to use the FernMark on our products, which means we meet the New Zealand eligibility requirements - including substantial NZ ownership, governance and being of good character. 

We have stringent food hygiene standards and practices, and we employ a range of advanced technologies and quality controls to ensure only the highest-quality products are produced. 

To learn more about our sustainable and authenticity practices,   you can read about it on our website.