The special UMF^® antibacterial property is not found in all manuka honey but in only a small percentage of manuka honeys. The presence of this property can be detected only by laboratory testing. The UMF^® level measures the antibacterial strength of UMF^® rated Active Manuka Honey. UMF^® rated Active Manuka Honey with a UMF^® level of 10 or more is considered to have special uses.

1. Ordinary manuka honey with only the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honeys.

2. UMF^® rated Active Manuka Honey with both the natural peroxide anti-bacterial property and its own natural UMF^® antibacterial property, giving it unique therapeutic uses.

To distinguish between the two types of manuka honey the Active Manuka Honey Industry have named the natural non-peroxide property UMF^® (Unique Manuka Factor). This name is the seal and trade mark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry and is available for use only by licensed users who must meet set criteria.

The name UMF^® is followed by a number that indicates the strength of the non-peroxide UMF^® antibacterial property in a batch of UMF^® rated Active Manuka Honey tested in the licensed laboratory after the honey has been packed. A UMF^® level of 10 is the minimum to be endorsed by the Honey Research Unit at The University of Waikato as having special uses. Manuka honey which does not have a UMF^® rating cannot be considered to have the special UMF^® property.

For best results look for the industry standard UMF^® and its level.

SummerGlow UMF^® rated Active Manuka Honey has a superior UMF^® level of 16.

Bees gather manuka honey from the flowers of the manuka bush which is a native plant of New Zealand. Manuka grows wild on undeveloped unspoilt land and is commonly found throughout the country. Manuka honey with the UMF^® property is gathered from manuka bushes found in only a few areas in New Zealand. It is not as yet known why only some manuka honey has the unique UMF^® property.