In New Zealand, there grows a tree the native Māori people call mānuka. They use its durable wood to make tools and smoke meat, and they make an essential oil—which you may know as tea tree oil—from its leaves. But the most special thing about the mānuka tree may be its white or pink blossoms. These flowers attract bees that make honey from the nectar, and this one-of-a-kind elixir contains special enzymes and antioxidants other honey doesn’t. It’s called mānuka honey, and it’s prized worldwide.
The problem is that fake mānuka honey abounds.
Because mānuka honey is in high demand but short supply, it’s not cheap. High price points have attracted a huge market for counterfeit mānuka honey—honey that’s labeled mānuka but is actually just your average, garden-variety honey. In fact, the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries notes that while there are only 1,700 tons of mānuka honey produced in the country every year, there are over 10,000 tons of the stuff sold annually.<1> You do the math.
Here’s how to make sure your mānuka honey is the real deal.
It’s as simple as 1-2-3.
1. Look for UMF™.
Reputable mānuka honey brands are licensed by New Zealand’s Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association™. The UMF™ trademark guarantees that your mānuka honey has been third-party tested to ensure it contains mānuka honey’s three signature compounds. The higher the UMF™ rating, the higher the concentration of these compounds.
2. Choose your grade.
MGO (Methylglyoxal) is the compound responsible for some of mānuka honey’s unique properties and forms the basis of the UMF™ grading system. The higher the MGO number, the higher the grade of mānuka honey.
3. Trace it back.
Transparent manufacturers include a traceability system right on the label. Using your smartphone, you can scan the code to trace your jar of honey back to the source.
Introducing Flora Mānuka Honey!
Flora is proud to announce we’ve partnered with Onuku Limited, a 100% Māori-owned honey operation based in Whakatane, New Zealand, to bring Flora Mānuka Honey to market. Profits made from this partnership help support the rebuilding and renewal of Māori cultural traditions through various programs such as student scholarships, funds for community buildings, and grants for new businesses, sports programs, and elderly shareholders. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure that when you purchase one of our five strengths[ of mānuka honey, you know you’re getting the genuine article. Every jar of Flora Mānuka Honey is:
UMF™-certified
This is your proof our honey contains the unique combination of compounds found in authentic mānuka honey.
MGO-graded
One glance at the label tells you exactly what grade mānuka honey you are buying, ranging from 30+ to 515+.
100% traceable
Just scan the NFC tag on the label to access information about the batch, region, lab tests, and UMF certification.
Environmentally and socially conscious
You can feel good about our mānuka honey because it’s sourced from an eco-friendly, 100% Māori-owned honey operation in New Zealand.
Pure.
Our mānuka honey is free from additives, preservatives, pesticides, and antibiotics.
Now that’s a sweet deal!
References
<1> Krader K. Bloomberg.com. Aug. 26, 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-26/the-new-zealand-honey-that-s-causing-legal-problems-in-the-u-s
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
