Executive Summary:
- Lab testing confirms the authenticity, purity, and quality of Manuka honey.
- MGO levels and other markers reflect the natural properties and strength of each jar.
- Independent verification ensures your honey is free from contaminants like glyphosate or antibiotics.
- Manukora offers full transparency with QR code traceability and third-party testing, ensuring you know everything you need to about every jar.
What Testing Can Tell You About Your Manuka Honey
Not all Manuka honey found worldwide undergoes advanced laboratory or third-party testing. However, such tests confirm that what’s on the label matches what’s in the jar—including any MGO claims, and that the honey you’re buying is, in fact, genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.
In this article, we explore why these tests matter in more detail and how they can help you feel more confident about your honey’s origins and nutritional composition. What should you know?
Why Lab Testing Matters for Manuka Honey
Lab testing ensures authenticity in every jar. Here’s, more specifically, why it matters:
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Authenticity: Rigorous testing confirms that the honey meets New Zealand’s official export standards. This means it contains the markers that define it as true Manuka honey.
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Purity: Every batch is tested to ensure it’s free of contaminants like glyphosate, antibiotics, and GMOs. Clean sourcing and careful handling are supported by measurable lab results.
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Quality assurance: Lab results verify the MGO level listed on the jar. This confirms the strength and concentration of compounds like MGO, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Understanding the Key Markers: MGO and More
Manuka honey is measured mainly by naturally occurring compounds, like MGO, DHA, and leptosperin. In the following sections, we take a closer look at these specific markers and what they mean.
MGO (Methylglyoxal)
MGO (Methylglyoxal) is a naturally occurring compound found in significantly higher concentrations in Manuka honey than in other types of honey. It’s one of the key markers used to measure the strength and quality of Manuka honey.
MGO has been widely studied for its antibacterial properties. Research has even linked MGO to benefits like helping maintain immune health and supporting a healthy digestive environment.
DHA and Leptosperin
DHA and Leptosperin are secondary markers that support authenticity and quality. DHA helps predict MGO development as honey matures. Meanwhile, Leptosperin is a compound unique to the Manuka tea tree.
While these markers don’t indicate medical effects, they do validate that the honey is strong, natural, and true to its origin. This ensures you know exactly what you’re getting!
How Do These Lab Tests Translate to Overall Wellness?
Manuka honey supports everyday wellness through its naturally occurring nutrients. It can help support digestion, immunity, and more! As such, lab testing ensures that key nutrients—like MGO—are present at the levels listed on the label.
At Manukora, our lab-tested honey offers:
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A natural source of antioxidants
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Nutrients that support immune wellness
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Prebiotics that aid in maintaining digestive balance
It’s worth noting that testing validates that your jar of honey contains the above. However, it doesn’t signify that Manuka honey can help treat any condition or illness, nor does it indicate that Manuka honey has medical benefits. When it comes down to it, Manuka honey is merely another nutritional food in your toolkit that can help support overall health; it should never be used as a treatment remedy.
Manukora’s Approach to Transparency and Testing
Manukora takes lab testing seriously, going beyond minimum requirements to ensure every jar is as pure as promised.
Every jar includes a unique QR code. You can easily scan this to view your jar’s specific test results, harvest origin, and handling practices. All lab tests are conducted by independent, accredited labs. This ensures objectivity and trust.
Every batch of Manukora’s Manuka honey is also verified to be free from glyphosate, GMOs, and antibiotics. Our traditional, sustainable beekeeping practices further help protect purity and authenticity before testing even begins.
At the end of the day, lab tests are how we ensure that every jar of Manukora Manuka honey is authentic, clean, and nutrient-rich. From MGO content to third-party verification, these tests give you confidence in the quality behind every spoonful.
Ready to experience delicious, creamy, and real Manuka honey? Explore Manukora’s lab-tested, traceable range of Manuka honey today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does MGO mean on my Manuka honey label?
MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound found in Manuka honey, which has been studied for its antibacterial properties. Higher MGO levels indicate a greater concentration of this compound.
Is higher MGO always better?
Higher MGO indicates that the honey contains a higher concentration of MGO. However, that does not mean it’s automatically better. The right MGO level depends on every person. Some people prefer higher levels for a richer-taste experience, while others enjoy lower levels for daily enjoyment and general support.
How do I know my Manuka honey is authentic?
Look for clear indicators, such as independent lab testing, traceability via a QR code, and a verified MGO rating. Trusted brands, like Manukora, include third-party results with every jar, so you know exactly what you’re getting and where it comes from. This transparency is part of what makes Manuka honey so special!
Can lab-tested honey still vary in taste or thickness?
Yes, even lab-tested Manuka honey can vary in flavor and consistency. Testing confirms the quality and purity of honey, but since it is a natural product, each batch may exhibit slight variations in color, thickness, or taste. These natural variations are part of what makes Manuka honey so unique and enjoyable.
Sources:
Health Benefits of Manuka Honey as an Essential Constituent for Tissue Regeneration - PubMed
