Manuka is a type of honey — produced by bees foraging on Leptospermum scoparium in New Zealand and parts of Australia. It contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a stable antibacterial compound not found in meaningful amounts in other honeys.
Medical grade honey is not a flower at all — it is a process. Honey (most often Manuka, but not always) is gamma-irradiated, tested batch by batch, and manufactured as a sterile single-use wound dressing under ISO 13485, with a CE mark or FDA clearance.
The 30-second comparison
| Aspect | Manuka honey (jar) | Medical grade honey |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A food — a single floral source | A sterile medical device made from honey |
| Regulated as | Food (FSA, FDA food, MPI) | Medical device (CE / FDA 510(k) / TGA) |
| Sterile? | No — contains bacterial spores | Yes — gamma-irradiated to SAL 10⁻⁶ |
| Activity tested | MGO rating on label (optional) | MGO or antibacterial assay on every batch |
| Safe on an open wound | No | Yes — designed for it |
| Typical price | £15–£60 / 250 g jar | £8–£20 / 25 g single-use tube |
| Example brands | Comvita, Manuka Doctor, Manuka Health | Activon, Algivon, Medihoney, L-Mesitran |
Why food-grade Manuka isn't safe on a wound
Honey straight from the hive contains low levels of Clostridiumand other bacterial spores. They're harmless to a healthy adult gut but dangerous in an open wound, where the warm, moist tissue is an ideal incubator. Gamma irradiation at 25 kGy reliably destroys these spores without damaging MGO — which is why every medical-grade product is sterilised before it leaves the factory.
Is medical grade always Manuka?
No. The Dutch Revamil / Bfactor pasture-blossom honey is the active ingredient in the L-Mesitranrange and is registered as a medical device throughout Europe — its antibacterial activity is broader-spectrum (hydrogen peroxide, bee defensin-1, modest MGO) rather than MGO-dominant. Surgihoney RO is a UK-engineered honey with enhanced peroxide generation. All three are medical grade; only one is Manuka.
So which should I buy?
For eating — to support general wellness, throat soothing or cooking — a food-grade Manuka jar is the right product, and you do not need a medical-grade dressing.
For a wound, burn, ulcer or skin tear — even a small one — buy a CE-marked or FDA-cleared honey dressing. See our independent where to buy medical grade honey guide for UK and US options.
Frequently asked questions
Is all Manuka honey medical grade?
No. The vast majority of Manuka honey is sold as a food. Only a small fraction is gamma-sterilised, bioburden-controlled and packed under ISO 13485 as a registered wound-care device. A high MGO number on a supermarket jar does not make it medical grade.
Is medical grade honey always Manuka?
No. Manuka is the most common source, but Dutch Revamil/Bfactor pasture-blossom honey (the basis of L-Mesitran) is also a registered medical device, and engineered honey products like Surgihoney RO are too. 'Medical grade' describes how the honey is processed and regulated, not the flower.
Can I use food-grade Manuka on a wound?
It is not advisable. Even high-MGO supermarket Manuka is not sterile — it can carry Clostridium spores that are harmless when eaten but unsafe in an open wound. For any broken skin, use a CE-marked or FDA-cleared honey dressing.
Related guides
- Medical honey: a plain-English patient guide
- How to use a medical honey dressing
- Side effects & cautions
- Technical definition: what is MGH™?