In 2016, the famous British magazine The Grocer published an article stating that 80% of all Manuka honey sold is fake.
At the time, the UMFHA reportedly said that New Zealand produced 1,700 tonnes of Manuka honey per year.
However, more than 10,000 tonnes are sold worldwide every year.
Grocery shops claim more Manuka honey is sold in the UK than the entire amount produced in New Zealand each year.
It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out the problem: This means that most manuka honey sold isn’t real manuka honey.
Unfortunately, it appears the problem starts at home.
According to Airborne Honey, a New Zealand honey producer for more than 50 years, New Zealand’s entire manuka crop grows to around 3,000 tonnes per year, but New Zealand exports around 9,000 tonnes of manuka per year.
Does this mean New Zealand is exporting fake manuka honey?
Well, probably not.
A more likely explanation is that New Zealand is blending its manuka honey, so that most of the honey exported is low-quality multifloral honey that contains some manuka.
Although New Zealand only produces 3,000 tonnes of honey, it can legally export 9,000 tonnes of honey which contains manuka honey but not pure manuka honey.
HOW TO AVOID BUYING FAKE MANUKA HONEY?
The easiest way to avoid fake manuka honey is to buy manuka honey from reputable brands with updated certification.
The most established certification in the industry today is the UMF certification, used by all major New Zealand manufacturers.
You can read more about UMF certification in our assessment systems article here.
Other rating systems also exist, such as AMHA, KFactor, and MGO, but UMF remains the industry standard.
You can compare rating equivalents using our table below:
| Qualities | UMF | MGO | KFACTOR | AMHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kindred or indistinguishable from regular honey | 0-5+ | 0-30 | – | – |
| Authorized | 5-10+ | 30-100 | 12 | Authorised |
| High quality honey with important antibacterial activity. | 10-15+ | 263-514 | 16 | Authentic |
| High-quality honey with important antibacterial activity. | 15-20+ | 514-829 | 22 (discontinued) | – |
| Ultra-good quality honey with medicinal antibacterial activity | 20-25+ | 829-1,200 | – | – |
WHAT BRANDS CAN BE TRUSTED?
Here are some brands we recommend for pure, pure, low-quality Manuka honey:
- New Zealand Honey Co
- Comvita
- WEDDERSPOON
- Wild leader
- Manukora
- South Manuka
All of these brands produce UMF-rated Manuka honey right here in New Zealand and export it to the world
If you want to see our top manuka honey brands for this year and the best places to buy them, check out our list here!
Also Read: HOW TO CURE STAPH/MRSA USING MANUKA HONEY & TEA TREE OIL
FAQs
How can I identify fake Manuka honey?
You can identify fake Manuka honey by checking for a legitimate UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) or MGO (Methylglyoxal) certification on the label, as well as ensuring it comes from a reputable brand or source.
Are there health risks associated with consuming fake Manuka honey?
While fake Manuka honey is not necessarily harmful, it may not offer the same potential health benefits as real Manuka honey, such as its antibacterial properties.
How can I avoid purchasing fake Manuka honey?
To avoid fake Manuka honey, buy from reputable retailers or directly from established Manuka honey producers, and check for proper certifications and batch information on the label.
What should I do if I suspect I have purchased fake Manuka honey?
If you suspect you have purchased fake Manuka honey, you can contact the seller, request proof of authenticity, and consider reporting the issue to relevant consumer protection authorities.
What are the legal consequences for selling fake Manuka honey?
Selling fake Manuka honey can result in legal consequences, including fines and penalties, as it often constitutes fraudulent labeling and deceptive trade practices.