Shaker Cups

I for one have never stopped and asked myself this question, but was that cheap shaker cup I bought from the internet safe?. Most if not all shaker bottles manufactured today should be BPA FREE. However there are a few other very important areas that consumers must become aware of before buying that “cheap shaker bottle”.

Just because the plastic that your shaker is made from is BPA FREE does not mean that it is food contact compliant. Got your attention? There are a series of very important tests I am not sure the everyday consumer even knows exist, but are set to become mandatory for any shaker bottle to be on public sale within the EU and US in particular. Certification breakdown is as noted below:

• Overall Migration of plastic into Foodstuffs (this is to certify that your shaker is suitable for you to drink a food grade product out of, such as protein. Using 35 Acetic & 50% ethanol (Now mandatory for EU Shaker Cup Distribution/import)
• Dishwasher safety (This one is obvious. However some cups claim to be compliant but may leak after being exposed to the temperatures generated from dishwashers. Often wonder why your shaker starts to leak after a few washes with hot water?)
• FDA – Density – Soluble fraction & Melting Point (A test introduced by the FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES on April 1^st 2011 also known as the FDA in the United States)

Any shaker company, distributor, manufacturer or retailer worldwide should carry the above certifications to prove the shaker bottles that they are selling are in fact “fit for food contact”. If not why not?

A lot of tummy bugs I got in the past have often been put down to the fact that I may have not washed my shaker cup out properly and passed it off as protein bacteria that may have built up. But after working so closely with plastics and being involved in the months of research with Core 150 ™ for the product to become compliant for public sale within its respective territories now makes me wonder if that tummy bug was my protein, or was it indeed the cheap shaker I once used?

The long and the short of this is, don’t just take the description that the shaker or water bottle you are buying is SAFE. Ask does it have the above certifications? If it does not bring your findings to the retailers attention, then contact your local FSA (Food Standards Agency) or (FDA) and inform them that there may be a food contact product on sale that is not fit for purpose.

The supplement industry is so tightly regulated and any complaint will be acted upon and dealt with swiftly.  Core 150 ™ is a fully certified shaker cup manufacturer that has all the relevant testing certificates required for safe consumption.

Remember you’re not demanding perfection you are reserving your right to purchase a product that is both safe, and fit for food contact purpose. It’s your right to be safe and if in doubt ASK!.