Buyer Beware - Examples of Counterfeit Black Berkey Filters

Buyer Beware - Examples of Counterfeit Black Berkey Filters

By Dan DeBaun

3/12/2025 - We wanted to provide a quick update to our loyal customers because unfortunately this situation has not gotten better since our original post, and has only gotten worse. Not only are there an increasing number of "Berkey" knockoff filters, but there are now many knockoff systems using these same China-made filters as well. We are trying to assist customers who have been duped, but unfortunately we have no control over these unregulated and unvetted counterfeit sellers who are using "Berkey" or other similar "gravity filter descriptions" in their name. We ask that our customer base be very careful if purchasing from 3rd party platforms like Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, etc.

2022 has been the worst year on record for counterfeit Berkey products. By year end, the estimate is that close to $3 Million of Berkey counterfeits will have been sold, much of it on Amazon, Ebay, and other hard to regulate 3rd party marketplaces that have "Berkey" in their seller name, but are in no way associated with Berkey. The Black Berkey Elements seem to be the most commonly counterfeited product due to it's ease of imitation. Here’s how to know for sure that your Black Berkey® Elements are authentic. Plus, learn what to do if you’re sold a counterfeit product.

Step 1: Examine the Side of the Black Berkey Box

 

Step 2: Now, Look Inside the Box

Berkey Now Uses Holograms to Combat Counterfeits

With the appearance of knock-off and counterfeit filters in the market, NMCL took strategic measures to develop authenticity verification holograms that were affixed on all Berkey®-branded filters. After a period of time, we discovered that not only had criminals copied our filters and packaging, but they were also copying our authentication holograms. We therefore began to add features to our holograms to help consumers distinguish between authentic and counterfeit filters, including verifiable serial numbers for which consumers could call our customer service department to verify if the Berkey® filters they purchased were genuine or fake.

In an effort to stay ahead of the illegal counterfeit activities impacting the Berkey® brand, we have had to make several iterations of holograms. Second-generation holograms are currently being used on all Berkey®-brand filters, and we will soon release a more advanced third-generation hologram with more advanced features.

 

Samples of Counterfeit Berkey Holograms

 

Authentic Current 2nd-Gen Holograms

 

*Authenticity verification holograms with unique verifiable serial numbers are found on all current packaging for Berkey® filters including Black Berkey® Elements and Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements.

Due to mixed inventory in our distribution channels, some older packaging of Black Berkey® Elements boxes may not have a verifiable serial number on them yet. Absence of the verifiable serial number on the hologram on Black Berkey® Elements box does not necessarily indicate that the elements inside are not authentic, making it critically important you are buying from an authorized dealer.

Consumers that identify they have received Black Berkey® Elements in a counterfeit box (as shown above/earlier) can be 100% sure they have counterfeit Black Berkey® Elements. At some point, all holograms on Black Berkey® Elements boxes will have an identifiable serial number.

Consumers that receive Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements without a hologram displaying a serial number is an indication that the elements are counterfeit. There is no of mix old and new inventory of the PF-2's like the Black Berkey Elements.

Customers may contact our Customer Service to verify if they have authentic Berkey® elements.

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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  • Avatar of Corey Corey 2025-04-27 22:05:49

    Of course people are selling counterfeits — Big Berkey website has listed them as OUT OF STOCK for at least a YEAR!!! If you won’t sell your product, apparently someone else will.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-05-01 14:46:05

    Hi Corey -

    We are not permitted to sell replacement filters while we sue the EPA, so this is out of our hands until we settle our lawsuit. Details and Q&A regarding the lawsuit can be found here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/berkey-water-systems-is-not-going-out-of-business

    As for counterfeits, these are not using our proprietary filter formula. So, these filters will not filter to the quality of the black berkey filters and may potentially be dangerous. From our research the majority of these counterfeits are coming from China and we highly recommend against trusting your water filtration with these Chinese companies using unknown filtration media.

    Black Berkey water filters are not being discontinued. The replacement Black Berkey filters are merely unavailable while the current court proceedings are in progress. Berkey systems with black berkey filters are still available for sale as well as the only Berkey approved and recommended replacement filters called the Ultra Sterasyl Ceramic Filters.

    These Ultra Sterasyl filters are a stopgap filter and will filter to quality similar to the Black Berkeys. 2 versions of these filters are available here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/replacement-filters.html

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Diana Diana 2025-03-31 23:31:44

    My friend just bought some fake ones. I made the suggestion that she get a refund from where she bought. But I am curious, is what she bought dangerous to her health? Thankfully I'm not due for my black filters for a few years, but am due for the PF2 ones. ;-)

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-04-01 14:20:51

    Hi Diana -

    We do not know if these are dangerous or not as we do not know what these Chinese companies are using as filter ingredients. We would lean towards them not being dangerous, but rather just substandard to very substandard in performance. However, we just can confidently say either way, and since customers are using these for their drinking water and ingesting daily, we strongly recommend them to stay away.

    For customers that their Black Berkeys replaced now, we have the Berkey approved Ultra Sterasyl Ceramic filters available as a replacement filter until the Black Berkeys are available again. These are very similar in performance and approximately half the price, however they need to be replaced more often.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Kelly Kelly 2025-03-19 05:32:57

    Hello,
    I have two berkey water filters and need black berkey replacement filters. Are they still available or perhaps in the near future?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-03-19 18:25:24

    Hi Kelly -

    They are not yet available while we pursue our lawsuit against the EPA, however we have the comparable Ultra ceramic sterasyl filters available in the interim. They can be found here: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/replacement-filters.html

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Annmarie Annmarie 2025-03-17 20:39:13

    I was just given a used Berkeley. Not sure how to use it. Please advise. Thx

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-03-19 18:23:37

    Hi Ann Marie -

    Please visit our "Helpful Resources" section in the upper right hand corner of the site or contact our customer service a rep can assist you.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Branden Van Dyke Branden Van Dyke 2025-02-27 13:48:45

    Hello I would like to purchase a royal berkey. Will it come with the 2 black berkey filters or the replacement that needs to be changed more frequently?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-02-27 14:33:13

    Hi Branden -

    The system comes with the original 2 black berkey filters.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Wayne Wayne 2024-12-15 18:15:17

    Hi,

    When will Big Berkey replacement filters be restocked? I've invested in 2 of the Berkey water filter systems but haven't been to get replacement filters. Almost makes the "fake" EPA lawsuit an accurate rumor.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-12-17 15:59:25

    Hi Wayne -

    We are still suing the EPA, and we don't have an estimated time for a final verdict. We are unable to mfr the black berkeys while we are suing. In the meantime, we have a new upgraded ultra sterasyl filters available for customers needing replacements. These are similar in performance, about half the price, but need to be replaced more often.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jane Jane 2024-12-05 22:29:41

    I got an email from another company saying that Black Berkey filters were no longer being made. I had signed up a while back for stock notification and never got an email. I almost bought the other company's filters instead. I’m glad I didn’t I’d rather have the Berkey. I hope they’ll be in stock soon. They work so well.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-12-06 14:43:37

    Hi Jane -

    Yes, many companies are using this fight against the government as an opportunity to smear our reputation and take advantage of our customers. It's business at the end of the day, but a shame that some folks spread disinformation and deceit to line their pocketbooks and wallets.

    We will have updates soon and will always provide high quality water solutions for our customers no matter what the outcome.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jacquie Jacquie 2024-12-02 23:19:06

    So glad I didn’t buy one from Amazon. I would hate to get a counterfeit that really doesn’t purify my water. It’s a good thing I take the time to do my research before making purchases.
    While the price may be cheaper on Amazon, the product you will get will be cheaper too! No thank you China. I’ll stick with my American friends.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-12-03 16:07:34

    Thank you for your support. And yes, these knockoff filters from china and other companies range from sub-par to extremely sub-par and we've even heard of a couple instances where the filters made the customers sick.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of JACQUIE JACQUIE 2024-12-02 23:17:14

    Please tell me when you have new black filters. I want to buy a few. Also, is the shelf life good if I purchased extra for the next time I need replacements?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-12-03 16:01:03

    Hi Jacquie -

    Please sign up for the e-mail back in stock notification on the product page and you will be e-mailed when they are made available.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Emily Emily 2024-05-20 18:59:13

    How do I know if I’m buying counterfeit Berkey fluoride filters? Also how to match the fluoride filter with my black filters? I have a Big Berkey that came with the filters. Emily

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-05-21 17:32:10

    Hi Emily -

    If you purchased from an authorized dealer, you should be in good shape. We DO NOT recommend Amazon, ebay, Walmart, etc as the counterfeits on these 3rd party platforms is rampant and not being controlled as we are requesting.

    Regarding the fluoride filters, they can be found here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/pf-2-fluoride-and-arsenic-water-filters-2-fits-black-berkey-filters-only.html

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Shelley Shelley 2023-12-21 21:07:08

    I bought spare filters from the dealer I bought my BigBerkey from which is going out of business now and before I found you, I bought another spare set of back berkey filters from Amazon. The boxes are identical from both places and both have the third generation hologram (which is very pretty and has the correct numbers) but neither have the New Millennium emblem on the box you showed. So now I am totally confused.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-01-08 20:55:15

    Hi Brooke -

    All our filters and systems are authentic. We are the largest dealer for the mfr and have been in business for 15 years. You can verify this by contacting the manufacturer at berkeywater.com.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Ember Fife Ember Fife 2023-12-08 22:27:38

    I got my crown Berkey, and filters from berkeyfilters.com . I’m confused by this site coming up in my advertising. Same company?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-12-17 00:48:25

    Hi Ember -

    No, this is another dealership, same to us, who is a dealership as well. That other dealership is no longer selling berkey systems and filters.

    Thanks
    Dan

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  • Avatar of Cheryl Scribner Cheryl Scribner 2023-09-27 22:51:45

    Several years ago I bought berkey black filters through Amazon. The box had Waterdrop 2pk BB-9-2 purification elements written on it and at the bottom right it said Made in P.R.C. Are these counterfeits made in China

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-09-28 02:21:05

    Hi Cheryl -

    Yes, those are counterfeit. P.R.C. = Peoples Republic of China.

    Our filters are manufactured here in the US.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Linda Lippert Linda Lippert 2023-06-08 19:28:57

    I read the article and it's pretty clear how to ID a fake once you have it. How do we best determine on the seller's website if it is bona fide? (So before even ordering.)

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-06-09 15:03:17

    Hi Linda -

    You most likely would not be able to, but can verify if they are an authorized reseller by a "authorized reseller" badge on their website, or contacting the manufacturer.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Danielle M. Danielle M. 2023-05-04 13:20:44

    Thank you for this explanation. There is a lot of uninformed bashing of your wonderful product on social media by uninformed people who prefer to stay ignorant instead of searching for the facts behind this lawsuit. I now feel confident in ordering a replacement set of filters from you, and will remain a loyal customer. Thank you for all that you do to provide clean, healthy water for our families.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-05-05 17:56:43

    Thanks Danielle -

    Yes, we have noticed some of this "piling on" that's been happening, based off inaccurate information. We are out on some of these social sites and providing folks with more details so that they are better informed.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Edan Edan 2023-01-10 14:32:16

    I have a big berkey and love it. I recently bought a primer pump on amazon but the threading on the primer didn't engage with the filter properly. I bought the big berkey on this site

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-01-10 17:39:52

    Hi Edan -

    It sounds like you have a defective primer. Because you purchased on Amazon, you would need to go back to the Amazon seller and look for a replacement. It's possible the manufacturer may honor a replacement as well. They can be located at www.berkeywater.com. They do not sell direct but can help with warranty issues.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Judy Judy 2023-01-04 19:00:59

    Can you comment to the lack of independent testing or people claiming the filters test poorly.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-01-04 19:18:49

    Hi Judy -

    Unfortunately over the past few months there has been alot of misinformation spread about the Berkey systems. If you look closely at those making false claims, it's folks who also happen to be affiliates of competing water filter systems, and are profiting off calling into question Berkey test results and reputation. You'll see links with their affiliate ID in the the URL of where they're sending traffic.

    All lab results are performed at independent labs. These certified independent test results can be found here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources#test-results

    Also, there are many other independent bloggers who have performed their own in depth testing proving these same results.

    There is also many folks stating the Berkey performs poorly in a TDS meter test, thus that means the Berkey does not work. Basically, the black berkeys do not remove beneficial minerals from the water, thus would not provide a lower TDS reading. So, it's not that the Berkey performs poorly with TDS meters, it's that a TDS meter would not apply to a Berkey unless they have heavy metals in the water. This is fully explained in detail here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/test-results/berkey-water-filters-and-tds-readings

    We hope this provides some guidance and would be glad to answer additional questions that you may have.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jay Jay 2022-12-25 00:45:41

    I still don't understand why Amazon can't fix or prevent this.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2022-12-25 00:51:17

    Hi Jay -

    Counterfeiting is an age old problem that has accelerated over the past few years. We don't think it's a matter of these 3rd party marketplaces not wanting to remove counterfeit products from their platform, but rather a matter of the time and resources it would take to tackle the problem effectively. It's almost like whack-a-mole and the easier and more profitable a counterfeit is, the more perpetrators will dive into the game. The newer black berkey holograms along with continued education of our customer base is probably our best bet to address this problem in the short term.

    Thanks
    Dan

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