MGO is one of the most common numbers you will see on Manuka honey labels.
You may see jars labelled MGO 50+, MGO 100+, MGO 250+, MGO 400+, MGO 500+, MGO 850+, or even higher. For a beginner, those numbers can make Manuka honey look more complicated than it needs to be.
In simple terms, MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a compound used as a key Manuka honey strength marker. The higher the MGO number, the higher the labelled methylglyoxal level.
But MGO does not tell you everything about a jar. It does not automatically tell you whether the honey is UMF certified, monofloral, raw, organic, batch tested, traceable, suitable for children, suitable for diabetics, or medical-grade.
This guide explains what MGO means, how to read it, and what not to assume from the number alone.
Seeing MGO on a Manuka honey jar and not sure what it means? 🔢
MGO is short for methylglyoxal.
In Manuka honey shopping, MGO is usually used as a labelled strength number. A jar marked MGO 250+ is being presented as lower strength than a jar marked MGO 500+, and a jar marked MGO 850+ is being presented as stronger again.
The UMF Honey Association describes MGO as one of the key markers connected with Manuka honey potency, while UMF is a broader certification and grading system.
That distinction matters because many buyers mix up MGO and UMF.
MGO is a single-number marker. UMF is a separate rating and certification system used by some New Zealand mānuka honey products. A product can show MGO without showing UMF. A product can show UMF and also show an MGO equivalent. A product can use another system entirely.
So when you see MGO, read it as one important comparison point — not the whole product story.
Why MGO became such a common Manuka honey rating 🧪
Manuka honey is often discussed differently from regular honey because of its measurable Manuka-related chemistry.
Research on Manuka honey has linked methylglyoxal with Manuka honey’s antibacterial activity in laboratory contexts, and one peer-reviewed article notes that MGO concentration in Manuka honey correlates strongly with antibacterial activity.
For shoppers, however, that does not mean a food-grade jar should be treated as a medicine, wound dressing, infection treatment, or substitute for professional care.
The practical shopping point is simpler:
MGO gives buyers a number they can use to compare Manuka honey strength across MGO-labelled jars.
It helps answer questions like:
- Is this a low-MGO or high-MGO product?
- Is this jar stronger than another MGO-labelled jar?
- Does the product clearly show its strength number?
- Is the MGO claim supported by testing or brand information?
- Is the price reasonable for the labelled strength and jar size?
MGO is useful because it is easy to compare. But it still needs to be read with the rest of the label.
MGO ratings on Manuka honey labels compared 📊
MGO label detail | What it usually tells you | Why buyers check it | What not to assume |
MGO 50+ | A lower MGO-labelled Manuka honey strength | May suit buyers looking at lighter everyday options | Does not automatically mean poor quality |
MGO 100+ | A modest MGO-labelled strength | Can be easier to compare with other entry-level jars | Does not mean UMF certified unless stated |
MGO 250+ | A medium-style MGO level on many labels | Often used by buyers comparing everyday Manuka options | Does not mean organic, raw, or monofloral |
MGO 400+ | A stronger MGO-labelled jar | Useful when comparing mid-to-higher strength products | Does not automatically make it medical-grade |
MGO 500+ | A high-strength MGO-labelled product | Often priced higher than lower-MGO jars | Higher number does not always mean better value |
MGO 800+ or higher | A very high MGO-labelled product | May appeal to buyers wanting a premium high-strength jar | Not automatically necessary for everyday food use |
No MGO shown | The product does not use visible MGO labelling | You may need to check UMF, MGS, KFactor or brand testing | Do not assume it has no rating; check the full label |
How to read MGO before buying Manuka honey ✅
Start by checking whether the MGO number is clearly visible.
A clear label should make it easy to see whether the product is MGO 100+, MGO 250+, MGO 400+, MGO 500+, or another strength. If the product title says Manuka honey but the rating is hard to find, slow down and check the full product page or brand page.
Then check the details around the MGO number:
- Does the product say MGO tested?
- Does it show a batch number or batch testing information?
- Does it state country of origin?
- Does it say monofloral or multifloral?
- Does it use UMF, MGS, KFactor, or another system as well?
- Does it say raw, organic, or unpasteurised?
- Does it provide traceability information?
- Is it food-grade honey, skincare, or a medical-grade product?
That last question is important. A food-grade Manuka honey jar with a high MGO number is still food-grade honey. It is not automatically sterile medical-grade honey.
For exported New Zealand mānuka honey, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries says honey labelled as mānuka must be tested by an MPI-recognised laboratory against a definition using five attributes: four chemical markers from nectar and one DNA marker from mānuka pollen. MPI says this helps separate mānuka honey from other honey types and identify it as monofloral or multifloral.
That authentication testing is separate from simply seeing an MGO number on a jar. Beginners should treat each label detail as a separate piece of information.
Five MGO situations where buyers get confused 📌
You assume higher MGO is always better 🔢
Higher MGO means a higher labelled methylglyoxal level, but that does not automatically make it the best jar for every buyer.
A very high-MGO jar may cost more, taste stronger, and be more than you need for simple food use. If you mainly want Manuka honey for tea, toast, yoghurt, warm water, or occasional spoon use, a moderate MGO product may be easier to justify than the strongest jar.
The strongest number is not always the best value.
You compare MGO with UMF without understanding the difference 🏷️
MGO and UMF are related in Manuka honey shopping, but they are not the same thing.
MGO is a methylglyoxal number. UMF is a separate certification and grading system. The UMF Honey Association explains that UMF uses multiple quality markers, while MGO is one marker within the broader Manuka honey rating discussion.
For beginners, the easiest rule is: compare MGO products with MGO products first. Compare UMF products with UMF products first. Then use a conversion guide only if you need to compare across systems.
You think MGO proves the honey is monofloral 🌿
MGO does not automatically tell you whether a product is monofloral or multifloral.
Monofloral and multifloral are separate label details. A product may show MGO and also say monofloral. Another product may show MGO and not clearly state floral classification.
Do not assume. Check the label.
You assume MGO means raw or organic ✅
MGO does not mean raw. MGO does not mean organic.
Raw usually relates to processing. Organic should be checked as a certification claim. MGO is about methylglyoxal level.
A Manuka honey can be MGO tested without being certified organic. A jar can be raw without having a high MGO number. A product can be organic and still have a lower MGO number.
Treat each claim separately.
You treat high-MGO food honey like medical-grade honey ⚠️
This is one of the most important mistakes to avoid.
A food-grade jar with MGO 500+, MGO 850+, or MGO 1000+ is still a food product unless it is clearly sold as a sterile medical-grade product.
Do not use food-grade Manuka honey as wound care. Do not treat MGO as a medical instruction. Medical-grade honey products are a separate category and should be discussed with a qualified professional.
FAQs about MGO in Manuka honey ❓
What does MGO mean in Manuka honey?
MGO stands for methylglyoxal. On Manuka honey labels, it is usually used as a strength number that helps buyers compare MGO-labelled products.
Is higher MGO better?
Higher MGO means a higher labelled methylglyoxal level, but it is not automatically better for every buyer. Taste, price, jar size, food use, origin, testing, certification, and suitability still matter.
Is MGO the same as UMF?
No. MGO is a methylglyoxal number. UMF is a separate certification and grading system used by some New Zealand mānuka honey products. They are related in Manuka honey comparison, but they are not identical.
Does MGO prove Manuka honey is authentic?
MGO is one useful marker, but authenticity depends on broader testing and label details. For New Zealand mānuka honey exports, MPI uses a definition based on four chemical markers from nectar and one DNA marker from mānuka pollen.
Is high-MGO Manuka honey medical-grade?
Not automatically. High-MGO food-grade Manuka honey is still food-grade honey unless it is clearly a sterile medical-grade product. Do not use edible jar honey as a substitute for medical wound-care products.
Final thoughts: MGO is useful, but it is only one label detail ✅
MGO is one of the easiest Manuka honey numbers for beginners to understand.
A higher MGO number means a higher labelled methylglyoxal level. That makes MGO useful when comparing one MGO-labelled jar with another.
But MGO is not the whole label. It does not automatically tell you whether the honey is UMF certified, monofloral, multifloral, raw, organic, batch tested, traceable, suitable for your diet, or medical-grade.
The best way to use MGO is simple: compare the number, then check the rest of the product label before deciding.
Related posts if you’re learning Manuka honey ratings 📚
Compare Manuka honey by MGO and other label details 🔢
Use the main table to compare food-grade Manuka honey products by MGO, UMF, rating system, country, monofloral status, raw status, organic status, UMF certification, MGO testing, batch testing, traceability, and brand details.