Is Manuka Lab Honey Genuine? An In-depth Authenticity Review

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

With the market for manuka honey rife with counterfeit products, many consumers understandably question the legitimacy of new brands. This in-depth guide addresses the specific question, is Manuka Lab honey genuine, by reviewing its verifiable markers of authenticity, such as New Zealand government approval and MGO certification.

Quick Summary

Manuka Lab sources its honey from New Zealand, certifying its MGO content through independent testing and offering hive-to-home traceability. These processes confirm the product's origin, purity, and potency, complying with official New Zealand government standards.

Key Points

Genuine Origin: Manuka Lab honey is sourced and packed in New Zealand, a crucial authenticity marker for true manuka honey.
Certified MGO Rating: The honey's MGO (Methylglyoxal) level is certified by independent testing, indicating its antibacterial potency.
Hive-to-Home Traceability: Manuka Lab uses a proprietary scanner system, allowing customers to trace their honey back to its New Zealand origin.
MPI Compliance: The products meet the strict scientific definition set by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for manuka honey.
Ethical Sourcing: The company has an ethical harvesting program and fair sharing policies to support beekeepers and landowners.
Independent Verification: The brand's use of third-party labs for testing adds a layer of confidence beyond internal claims.
Avoid Misleading Terms: The brand avoids unregulated terms like 'Active' or 'Bio-Active,' relying on verifiable metrics.

Understanding Manuka Honey Authenticity

Manuka honey's global reputation for unique antibacterial properties has led to high demand and, consequently, widespread fraudulent products. The integrity of a manuka honey brand is determined by its ability to transparently prove its product's origin, purity, and potency. For a brand to sell a genuine product, it must meet stringent testing and verification standards set forth primarily by New Zealand authorities, as true manuka honey originates from the country's native Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) bush.

Is Manuka Lab honey genuine? The evidence

New Zealand Origin and Sourcing

Authenticity for any manuka honey starts with its source. Manuka Lab states that their honey is 100% sourced and packed in New Zealand. Their harvesting takes place in the remote East Cape region, known for its pristine manuka bush landscapes. By confirming New Zealand as the exclusive country of origin, the brand addresses one of the most critical markers of genuineness. This practice is key, as only honey from New Zealand can legally use the 'Manuka' name under government regulations.

MGO Certification and Traceability

To provide verifiable proof of quality, Manuka Lab uses the MGO (Methylglyoxal) rating system. MGO is the compound responsible for much of manuka honey's notable antibacterial activity. The number on the label represents the minimum amount of MGO in milligrams per kilogram of honey. Manuka Lab's use of this rating is backed by independent, third-party laboratory testing to ensure accurate grading and potency.

In addition to MGO testing, Manuka Lab offers a comprehensive traceability program. Their 'Mānuka Originz' quality mark ensures that every jar can be traced back to the specific hive it was produced in via a scanning system. This level of transparency provides consumers with confidence in the product's journey from hive to home, directly combating fraud concerns.

Compliance with MPI Standards

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) established a scientific definition for manuka honey in 2018 to regulate exports and protect the integrity of the product. This standard requires testing for specific chemical markers and a DNA marker from manuka pollen to determine if the honey is monofloral (predominantly manuka nectar) or multifloral (manuka nectar mixed with other floral sources). Manuka Lab confirms its products comply with these official government regulations.

MGO vs. UMF: What's the Difference?

When assessing manuka honey, consumers often encounter two primary rating systems: MGO and UMF. While Manuka Lab uses the MGO standard, it's helpful to understand the distinctions.

MGO: This is a simpler, single-component measurement, focusing solely on the level of methylglyoxal in the honey. It provides a direct indicator of potency, with higher numbers signifying stronger antibacterial activity.
UMF: The Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF) is a more comprehensive system. Managed by the Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), it tests for four key components: MGO, Leptosperin, DHA, and HMF. Leptosperin is a unique plant compound found only in manuka nectar, confirming authenticity. DHA (dihydroxyacetone) indicates the potential for future MGO conversion, and HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) measures freshness. UMF certification also requires independent auditing and licensing.

Comparison of Certification Systems


Feature	MGO Certification	UMF Certification	What it Tells You
Rating Scope	Measures only Methylglyoxal (MGO) content.	Measures MGO, Leptosperin, DHA, and HMF.	MGO alone indicates potency, while UMF offers a fuller picture of authenticity and quality.
Authentication Marker	Relies on the concentration of MGO, which can be artificially added to less scrupulous products.	Includes Leptosperin, a marker that cannot be easily faked.	UMF's use of Leptosperin offers stronger proof of genuine manuka nectar source.
System Oversight	Managed by individual brands who conduct their own third-party testing.	Governed by an independent industry body, the UMFHA, with strict licensing and auditing.	UMF offers independent oversight, building an extra layer of trust.
Traceability	Manuka Lab specifically provides a traceable system for their MGO products.	All UMF-licensed products must have a documented chain of custody.	Both provide traceability, but UMF's is standardized across licensees.

How to Verify Manuka Lab Honey

Despite the different certification methods, consumers can confidently verify the authenticity of Manuka Lab honey and other brands by taking specific steps:

Check for New Zealand Origin: The label should explicitly state that the honey is a "Product of New Zealand".
Look for the MGO Rating: Ensure a clear MGO number is displayed on the jar, indicating the certified minimum concentration of Methylglyoxal.
Use the Traceability System: Manuka Lab offers a hive scanner system linked to their batch information. Use this tool to trace your jar's origin.
Confirm MPI Compliance: Reputable New Zealand producers will comply with the government's official MPI definition for manuka honey, which Manuka Lab asserts.
Purchase from Trusted Retailers: Buying from reputable online or physical stores reduces the risk of counterfeit products.
Consider Taste and Texture: While not definitive, genuine manuka honey has a distinct earthy, creamy texture and a rich, dark amber color that is different from regular honey.

Conclusion

Based on available information, Manuka Lab honey appears to be genuine. The brand provides multiple markers of authenticity, including sourcing and packing in New Zealand, adhering to government standards, and certifying the MGO content through independent testing. Their 'hive-to-home' traceability system is a significant step toward consumer confidence. While the MGO-only rating is a simpler measure compared to the more comprehensive UMF standard, it is a valid and transparent way to grade manuka honey potency. For consumers seeking absolute confidence, comparing products with both MGO and UMF ratings can provide a fuller picture of a honey's authenticated qualities, but Manuka Lab's transparent practices provide strong evidence of its product's legitimacy.

The Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association

For further information on the broader manuka honey industry and the UMF grading system, you can visit the UMFHA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

To check if your Manuka Lab honey is genuine, look for the 'MGO' certification on the label, which indicates independently tested methylglyoxal content. The jar should state it's a 'Product of New Zealand', and you can also use their online traceability system to verify its origin.

The MGO rating on Manuka Lab honey indicates the concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO) in milligrams per kilogram of honey. Higher MGO numbers signify greater antibacterial potency, with different levels suited for various uses, from everyday wellness to more targeted support.

MGO certification is a reliable measure of antibacterial potency, but it is less comprehensive than the UMF standard. UMF tests for multiple unique compounds, including Leptosperin for authenticity, while MGO focuses solely on the methylglyoxal level.

Manuka Lab sources its honey from the remote East Cape region of New Zealand, where their bees collect nectar from the native manuka bush. This ensures the product's authentic New Zealand origin.

Yes, Manuka Lab honey complies with the strict scientific definition for manuka honey set by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). This standard verifies the presence of specific chemical and DNA markers unique to manuka nectar.

The 'Mānuka Originz' guarantee from Manuka Lab is a quality mark that ensures full traceability of the honey from the hive to the jar. It uses a scanning system to provide transparent origin information for every batch.

To avoid counterfeit manuka honey, always buy from reputable brands that provide transparent information about their sourcing and testing methods. Look for clear certification marks like MGO or UMF, and check that the product is labelled as a 'Product of New Zealand'.