What Does TA 45+ Mean in Jarrah Honey?
If you have seen a jar of premium Australian Jarrah honey labelled TA 45+, you may wonder what that number actually means.
TA stands for Total Activity, a laboratory measurement used for certain Australian honeys. The rating indicates the honey's overall antibacterial activity under the testing method used.
A rating of TA 45+ indicates a particularly high level of measured Total Activity. But understanding the number properly requires knowing what TA measures—and how it differs from the MGO and UMF™ ratings commonly associated with New Zealand Manuka honey.
What Is Total Activity (TA)?
Honey naturally contains several components that can contribute to antibacterial activity.
In Australian honey testing, Total Activity measures the combined antibacterial activity of the honey. This can include activity associated with hydrogen peroxide as well as non-peroxide components naturally present in the honey.
The result may be expressed as an equivalent concentration of phenol under the laboratory test method.
For example, a honey labelled TA 45+ has demonstrated a high level of Total Activity according to the applicable laboratory testing.
Is TA 45+ a Percentage?
No.
The 45+ does not mean that the honey contains 45% of a particular ingredient, nor does it mean that 45% of the honey is “active.”
It is an activity rating derived from laboratory testing.
The “+” indicates that the honey meets or exceeds the stated activity level.
This distinction is important when comparing high-activity honeys.
Is TA the Same as MGO?
No. TA and MGO measure different things.
MGO (methylglyoxal) measures the concentration of one particular naturally occurring compound in honey, expressed in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
TA, by contrast, represents the honey's overall antibacterial activity measured using a different laboratory methodology.
For this reason, a TA number should not simply be converted into an MGO number as though the two grading systems were interchangeable.
This is also why shoppers should be cautious when they see claims suggesting that a particular TA rating automatically equals a precise MGO rating.
Is TA 45+ the Same as UMF™ 20+ or UMF™ 25+?
No.
UMF™ is a certification and quality-assurance system specifically associated with genuine New Zealand Manuka honey. It evaluates multiple characteristics of Manuka honey and is not simply another name for Total Activity.
Jarrah honey is an Australian honey from a completely different floral source, so its TA rating should be understood on its own terms.
The easiest way to remember the distinction is:
Jarrah honey → Total Activity (TA)
Manuka honey → UMF™ and/or MGO
Both can be premium high-activity honeys, but their numbers should not be treated as equivalent grading scales.
Why Can Jarrah Honey Have High Total Activity?
Jarrah honey comes from the nectar of the Jarrah tree (Eucalyptus marginata), native to Western Australia.
The composition of honey depends on many factors, including its floral source, growing environment, season, harvesting conditions and natural chemistry.
Certain batches of Jarrah honey can demonstrate unusually high Total Activity when independently tested. Because high-activity batches are relatively limited, ratings such as TA 45+ are particularly interesting to people looking for premium Australian honey.
Does Every Jarrah Honey Have TA 45+?
No.
Jarrah honey can have different activity levels, and not every harvest or batch will achieve a TA 45+ rating.
If Total Activity is important to you, look for a clearly stated TA rating from a reputable producer rather than assuming that all honey labelled “Jarrah” has the same activity.
The floral source tells you what type of honey it is.
The laboratory result tells you the measured activity of that particular honey or batch.
What Should You Look for When Buying TA 45+ Jarrah Honey?
When choosing high-activity Jarrah honey, look beyond the number on the front label.
Consider the honey's Australian origin, producer, floral source, stated TA rating, batch information and testing information where available.
A clearly identified producer and transparent activity rating make it easier to understand what you are buying.
At Manuka Canada, we carry Fewster's Farm Jarrah Honey Total Activity 45+, produced from Western Australian Jarrah honey and clearly labelled with its Total Activity rating.
TA 45+ — The Bottom Line
TA 45+ represents a high measured level of Total Activity in the honey.
It is not a percentage, and it should not be directly equated with an MGO or UMF™ number.
Understanding these distinctions makes it much easier to compare premium honeys based on the grading system actually used for each honey.
If you are new to the subject, start with our guide What Is Jarrah Honey? Understanding Total Activity (TA) for a broader introduction to Jarrah honey and the Total Activity system.