Could Your Water Filter Be a Counterfeit?

Posted on February 08, 2022 By Frigidaire Appliances

When it's time to replace your Refrigerator's Water Filters, it's important to buy a replacement filter that is designed to work specifically with your fridge. While off-brand and generic filters are potentially risky for your appliance, there's another issue to know about: Counterfeit water filters have made their way into online marketplaces all over the world. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference at first glance, but counterfeits are not the same as the real thing. We've got the info you need to ensure you're getting a genuine filter for your fridge.

How Exactly Do Activated Carbon Filters Work?

Activated carbon technology filters contaminants in three steps: 1. The large internal surface area physically traps sediments and contaminants. 2. Activated carbon acts like a magnet for compounds like lead as water passes through. 3. Chemical reactions inside the filter reduce chemicals like chlorine on contact.

How Often Should You Replace the Filter?

Water filters should be replaced every six months to guarantee they are functioning properly. Regularly replacing your filter is the best way to guarantee your water filter system can function properly and keep your refrigerator's water dispenser running properly.

Infographic on Steps of Water Filtration

What Are the Risks of Counterfeit Filters

They look the same as genuine filters, and may even produce water that looks the same, but counterfeit water filters are not the same. Removing contaminants like lead and chlorine require specialized technology like the three-step carbon filtration that Frigidaire and Smart Choice Genuine filters use. Counterfeit filters don't contain enough, if any, of the filtering materials necessary to keep them out of your water. Beyond the risk to your water quality, counterfeit filters can do serious damage to your appliance. Your refrigerator is a complex system of parts designed to work together, and when you add a counterfeit part that doesn't fit, it can cause a chain reaction of issues that interferes with your refrigerator operating properly.

How to Spot a Fake

Better-made fakes can be nearly impossible to spot from the exterior, even for experts. However, there are a few things to watch out for if you suspect a filter may not be the real thing.

Weight

Counterfeit water filters often weigh less than genuine water filters because they don't contain as much of the important filtering materials inside. Some counterfeits have been found to have nothing inside but newspaper!

Certification Symbol

Genuine water filters are NSF Certified and have the symbol stamped on the package. Counterfeits may have an incorrect symbol, or may not have a certification mark at all.

Packaging

Counterfeits are designed to look nearly identical to the real thing, often coming in glossy or nicer-looking packaging designed to trick you into trusting what's inside.

Cost

Most people that end up with counterfeit water filters bought them because they cost less than a genuine filter. Genuine filters are tested and designed to meet NSF and manufacturer standards, so if you find something significantly cheaper than the brand-name alternative, there's probably a reason.

Online Content

If you're buying online, be on the lookout for up-to-date packaging, enriched product information, and performance data sheets. If the page doesn't have any of those, you're probably looking at a counterfeit.

Images and Text

Look closely at any images. Counterfeits tend to have grainy or pixelated pictures. Also, check for discolored or faded text, as that might be another sign you're not looking at the real thing.

The Bottom Line

Counterfeits aren't just a problem manufacturers use to scare you into buying their products. The risks are real, from failing to properly filter your family's water to potentially damaging your appliance and your investment. Buy direct from authorized sellers like P.C. Richard & Son to be sure you're getting the real thing. Visit filteritout.org for more information on counterfeit water filters.