TA70+ Honey Explained: What Australian Laboratories Actually Report
If you are searching for:
- Is TA70+ honey real?
- What is TA70+ honey?
- Highest TA honey in Australia
- TA70 vs TA35
- Why does honey say TA70+?
You are not alone.
Over the past year, search interest in “TA70+ honey” and “highest TA honey” has increased significantly across Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC.
But there is an important scientific clarification consumers should understand.
Is TA70+ Honey Real?
TA70+ is not a standard antibacterial rating issued by Australian NATA-accredited laboratories.
Under recognised Total Activity (TA) testing methods used in Australia, very high antibacterial results are reported as “TA35+”, because this reflects the upper validated reporting range of the assay.
Australian laboratory certificates are limited to TA35+.
What Is Total Activity (TA) in Honey?
Total Activity (TA) measures antibacterial potency.
In Australia, TA testing is conducted using:
- Standardised agar diffusion methods
- Phenol reference comparison
- Calibrated measurement scales
- Defined upper reporting limits
The assay compares honey’s antibacterial effect against a phenol standard. Once activity exceeds a defined threshold, the result is reported as “35+” rather than assigning increasingly higher numbers.
This is not a limitation of potency.
It is a limitation of validated reporting precision.
Why Do Some Honeys Claim TA70+?
Some brands may reference higher TA numbers, but consumers should understand:
Reputable Australian laboratories do not issue certified reports stating TA70+.
If a product displays TA70+, it is important to ask:
- Was the test conducted by a NATA-accredited laboratory?
- Is there a batch-specific certificate available?
- What testing methodology was used?
- Is the number a laboratory-issued result, or a marketing interpretation?
Very high antibacterial performance absolutely exists in premium honey.
However, credible grading must align with recognised laboratory standards.
Does TA35+ Mean the Honey Is Weaker Than TA70+?
No.
TA35+ represents extremely high antibacterial potency under Australian laboratory protocols.
Because the assay caps reporting at “35+”, two honeys both labelled TA35+ may differ in absolute potency – but laboratories do not issue certified numbers above that validated reporting limit.
Therefore:
TA35+ is the highest recognised laboratory-reported rating under standard Australian TA methodology.
TA35+ vs MGO vs UMF™: Understanding the Difference
Some confusion arises because:
- Manuka honey uses UMF™ or MGO.
- Australian honeys like Jarrah use Total Activity (TA).
Total Activity (TA), Non-Peroxide Activity
(NPA) and Methylglyoxal (MGO) aren’t grading systems but measurements of markers in the honey.
Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) is a trademark restricted to New Zealand producers based on MGO, Leptosperin and DHA.
- TA / NPA is the measurement of the ability of the honey to kill bacteria.
- MGO is the quantity of methylglyoxal present in a sample.
Consumers comparing TA70+ to MGO ratings may mistakenly assume equivalence – but these systems measure different things.
A positive linear correlation exists between methylglyoxal (MGO) concentration and mean-squared non peroxide activity (NPA) exists [1] whereby:
– green: MGO >800 mg/kg (NPA >20%),
– blue: MGO 260±800 mg/kg (NPA 10±20%),
– red: MGO <260 mg/kg (NPA <10%)
Based on this research below is the comparison between MGO and TA / NPA:
MGO | NPA / TA |
83 | 5+ |
263 | 10+ |
514 | 15+ |
829 | 20+ |
What Should Consumers Look For Instead of High TA Numbers?
When assessing premium bioactive honey, prioritise:
- NATA-accredited laboratory testing
- Batch-specific certificates
- Clear reporting methodology
- Transparency in documentation
- Regulatory compliance (e.g., ECAS in the UAE)
- How product is stored and transported to maintain temperature below 40°C
High numbers alone do not equal higher credibility.
Scientific integrity matters.
Why Australian Laboratories Report “35+”
In Australia, TA testing:
- Uses defined calibration ranges
- Has validated upper precision limits
- Caps reporting at TA35+ to avoid overstating differentiation
Beyond approximately TA35+, precision cannot be reliably differentiated under the standard method.
Therefore, laboratory reporting reflects validated science – not marketing escalation.
Our Position on TA Ratings
At Australian Wildflower, we report activity levels exactly as issued by independent laboratories.
We do not reinterpret results.
We do not inflate numbers.
Even when we get results of TA50+, our label will only ever show TA35+.
We respect the limits of validated testing methods.
Because trust is built on precision.
The Bottom Line
If you are searching for TA70+ honey, understand this:
Under recognised Australian laboratory standards, antibacterial activity above the validated threshold is reported as TA35+.
Certified Australian laboratory reports do not state TA70+.
When purchasing premium honey in Australia, the UAE or Saudi Arabia, request batch-specific laboratory documentation from accredited facilities.
True potency does not need exaggeration.
It needs verification.
Australian Honey Analysis
National Measurement Institute (NMI)
Australia’s peak measurement body, the NMI provides world-class food and agriculture measurement services and solutions. With state-of-the-art laboratories to meet regulatory and quality requirements. Their laboratories hold certifications and accreditations including:
- National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation(external link)
- ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
ChemCentre > Food, Agriculture and Primary Industries > Honey Analysis
Western Australia’s leading provider of specialised chemical and forensic science services. Owned and Operated by the Western Australian Government.
The independent testing undertaken by ChemCentre provides scientific data that can be used to assure regulators, distributors and consumers that their product is of the highest quality. ChemCentre offers an extensive range of analytical services to ensure honey meets quality, authenticity, safety and product integrity requirements.
Y-Trace > The Honey Lab
Y-Trace is relatively new organisation founded to bridge the gap between research and real-world solutions for beekeepers. Developed from the Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products (CRC-HBP), Y-Trace brings together leading researchers in honey testing and hive monitoring, helping beekeepers secure premium pricing, market trust, and business growth.
