Australian Manuka Honey Has Reached a New Milestone

Community Announcement
08 July 2026
https://biosota.com.au/

With coughs, colds and scratchy throats doing the rounds this winter, plenty of Australians are reaching for Manuka honey. But there's one detail on the label many of us still don't understand.

Gold Coast-based Biosota Organics has announced that its MGO 2200+ Manuka Honey has what the brand says is the highest MGO rating currently available, putting the spotlight on Australian Manuka and the grading system many shoppers still find confusing.

Unlike regular honey, Manuka naturally contains a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which is responsible for many of the antibacterial properties the honey is known for. In simple terms, the higher the MGO rating, the higher the concentration of this naturally occurring compound.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that UMF is the only way to measure Manuka honey quality. In reality, Australian producers use the MGO grading system, with every batch independently lab tested to verify its potency. UMF, on the other hand, is a trademark owned by New Zealand's Manuka honey industry and can't be used on Australian Manuka honey, regardless of its strength.

The announcement also shines a light on Australia's place in the Manuka story. While many people still associate Manuka honey with New Zealand, Australia is home to 83 species of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum), compared with New Zealand's single species. Biosota says its flagship MGO 2200+ honey sits at the top end of the potency scale, while its Australian Certified Organic range extends up to MGO 1200+. Achieving organic certification for honey is no small feat either. Bees can forage up to five kilometres from their hive, meaning every flowering plant within that radius must also meet strict organic certification requirements.

With Manuka honey finding its way into plenty of mugs and breakfast bowls this winter, is a good reminder that not every jar is the same. Looking beyond the country of origin and taking a quick glance at the MGO rating can make choosing one a whole lot easier.