Honey MGO VS Honey TA Rating Explained

Understanding Honey Ratings: What TA & MGO Really Mean

Not all honey is created equal. While every pure honey offers natural goodness, some varieties go further — delivering powerful antibacterial activity that supports everyday wellness, immunity and skin health.

That’s where TA and MGO ratings come in.

These ratings help you understand the strength, quality and purpose of different medicinal honeys, allowing you to choose the right honey for your needs — whether that’s gentle daily support or targeted immune defence.

What Is an MGO Rating?

MGO (Methylglyoxal) is a naturally occurring compound found in certain honeys, most notably Manuka honey.

Methylglyoxal is responsible for Manuka honey’s well-known antibacterial properties, and the MGO rating measures how much of this compound is present in the honey.

Why MGO Matters

• MGO directly correlates with antibacterial strength

• Higher MGO = stronger antibacterial activity

• Used almost exclusively to grade Manuka honey

Understanding MGO Levels

MGO ratings are expressed as a number (e.g. MGO 100+, MGO 550+), which indicates the milligrams of Methylglyoxal per kilogram of honey.

Generally speaking:

• Lower MGO levels > gentle, everyday support

• Higher MGO levels > advanced antibacterial, immune and skin benefits

This makes MGO-rated honeys ideal for people seeking targeted medicinal support, while still enjoying honey in its most natural form.

What Is a TA Rating?

TA stands for Total Activity, a broader measure of honey’s antibacterial power.

Rather than focusing on one compound, TA reflects the combined antibacterial activity of several naturally occurring elements within honey.

TA provides a holistic picture of a honey’s medicinal strength.

TA & Australian Eucalyptus Honeys

TA ratings are most commonly used for Eucalyptus honeys, including;

• Jarrah

• Marri

• Blackbutt

• Desert Mallee

• Other active Australian varieties

These honeys rely less on MGO and more on hydrogen peroxide-based activity, which delivers powerful antibacterial effects in a different - yet equally impressive - way.

A higher TA rating means greater medicinal potency.

MGO vs TA - What’s the Difference?

While both ratings assess antibacterial strength, they do so in different ways.
At a Glance

• MGO

  • Measures Methylglyoxal content

  • Used for Manuka honey

  • Indicates targeted antibacterial potency

• TA

  • Measures overall antibacterial activity

  • Used for Australian Eucalyptus honeys

  • Reflects a broader, whole-of-honey effect

Neither rating is “better” - they simply help you choose the right honey for your wellness goals.

Choosing the Right Honey for Your Needs

Whether you’re using honey as part of a daily ritual or for more focused support, TA and MGO ratings offer valuable guidance.

Everyday Wellness Support

• Lower to mid-range TA or MGO

• Ideal for daily consumption

• Supports general wellbeing and immunity

Targeted Immune or Skin Support

• Higher TA or MGO ratings

• Greater antibacterial activity

• Suitable for periods of increased immune demand

Understanding these ratings empowers you to select honey with confidence, knowing exactly what you’re getting - and why it matters.

Why Testing Matters

Medicinal honey is only as trustworthy as the testing behind it.

At Honey For Life, every honey is:

• Independently tested

• Verified for purity and authenticity

• Assessed for medicinal strength

Accredited Laboratory Testing

All Honey For Life honeys are tested at:

• ChemCentre, Western Australia

• Analytica, New Zealand

This ensures:

• Accurate TA or MGO ratings

• Genuine bioactive properties

• Consistent quality across every batch

In Summary: Why TA & MGO Ratings Matter

TA and MGO ratings remove the guesswork from choosing honey.

They provide clarity, transparency and confidence - helping you match the right honey to your lifestyle, wellness routine and needs.