ZYN is the best-known nicotine pouch brand name in the US, but just because a can says “ZYN” on the front, it doesn’t guarantee it contains real ZYN inside. Some fake ZYNs have obvious giveaways for seasoned users, like non-official flavors and names, but others can only be spotted with more careful inspection. This guide explains how to spot fake ZYNs, alongside counterfeits of other brands, and why it’s so important to stay away from them.
Since Prilla launched in 2021, we’ve maintained close relationships with trusted suppliers so we can verify the origins and legitimacy of the products we sell. We ship everything straight from our US warehouse, with delivery in 1-5 business days. Browse our full selection of ZYN pouches for peace of mind about authenticity.
Key takeaways
- Many people have reported fake ZYNs in circulation.
- The biggest indicator of a fake ZYN is a QR code that cannot be redeemed.
- There are various other ways to identify fakes, including their packaging.
- Fake products may be dangerous and should be thrown away immediately.
What are Fake ZYNs?
Real ZYNs are manufactured by Swedish Match North America, LLC (now owned by Philip Morris International).
Fakes are any products that use the ZYN name or look like ZYNs to the untrained eye, but are not actually made by Swedish Match.
There are two main kinds of fakes to be aware of:
- Direct copies of ZYN that closely mimic the real can designs.
- Knock-off products with a similar design to ZYN but slightly different names.
Multiple social media users have reported fake ZYNs from various sources. Some ZYNers encountered these fakes when purchasing pouches from convenience shops, gas stations, and pop-up stores. There’s also a high chance of accidentally buying a fake when using random online stores or third parties (especially individual resellers on social media).
5 Ways to Tell if ZYNs are Fake
Nobody wants to pick up a fake ZYN by accident, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to tell real and fake products apart.
Fake QR Codes
ZYN cans have a QR code on the back, which participants can scan to bank points as part of the ZYN rewards program. Scanning it will direct the customer to the ZYN website, where they can enter their code.
Only legitimate products made by Swedish Match are part of this program.
Counterfeit products usually contain either:
- A fake code. After scanning it, nothing will happen, or it will redirect you to a random website.
- A copied code. The fake manufacturer may copy a code from a real ZYN can. This will still direct a user to the official website, but they will be unable to redeem the code and will receive an error message instead.
ZYN’s terms and conditions state that only “specially marked ZYN products that contain a unique alphanumeric code printed behind the bottom label” are part of the reward program, and that these are “available while supplies last.” So it’s possible that a few real products could be missing a code; for instance, if the rewards program ends.
However, if there is a unique code on the can but it cannot be redeemed (or doesn’t even direct the user to the right place), it’s practically a given that the product is a counterfeit.
Packaging
Fake ZYNs may attempt to mimic real ZYNs, but they don’t always pull it off. Fake cans may have any of the following:
- A font or color slightly different from the usual
- Spelling or grammar mistakes on the labels
- Missing warning labels or disclaimers
- Smudged batch numbers (which should appear below the QR code)
- A slightly “off” color
Smell
Didn’t think to check the QR code or packaging at first when purchasing ZYN? The next big giveaway (and possibly the most obvious of all) is the smell.
ZYN has become the most popular pouch brand in the US for a reason. Products like ZYN Peppermint 6mg are known for having a high-quality formulation that just hits the spot. Since fakes are just trying to make a quick buck, the manufacturers haven’t bothered to get the recipe right.
They may smell overly strong or artificial, with some forum users reporting a strong scent of tobacco or menthol that differs from real ZYNs. So if a pouch that claims to be ZYN Coffee 6mg smells like ultra-powerful menthol or a pouch advertised as ZYN Peach 3mg smells suspiciously tobacco-esque, consider it the equivalent of alarm bells ringing.
This is especially noticeable in the case of regular ZYN users who buy their pouches from a new retailer and find they smell completely different.
Price
Sometimes, it’s not exactly necessary to go full Sherlock Holmes by scanning codes and meticulously examining packaging. If a retailer is selling ZYNs for a fraction of their usual price, it’s far more likely to be a scam than a really bad businessperson who didn’t get their sums right.
As they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Some retailers may run generous promotions — on Prilla, we have a special offers page and bulk-buying discounts. But discounts of more than 10-25% compared to standard retail prices are rare anywhere.
“New” Flavors or Products
While most ZYN fakes try to imitate the taste profiles of existing products, a few claim to be an entirely different flavor.
If you see someone selling “ZYN Jack Daniels” or “ZYN Pumpkin Spice Latte,” there’s a good chance those are fake products.
However, it’s worth noting that other countries have different ZYN flavors, and some online retailers may be selling these. Prilla sells the full collection of ZYN pouches available in the US, so this can be used as a helpful baseline to compare other products against.
Fake ZYNs vs Real: A Summary
Below, we’ve summarized every single sign of a fake ZYN. But remember — not every fake product will exhibit every single sign.
| Fake ZYNs | Real ZYNs | |
|---|---|---|
| QR codes | When scanned, the code cannot be redeemed | The code can always be redeemed successfully |
| Texture | May be gritty or overly dry | Dry and smooth |
| Text | May be differences in font, missing text, or spelling mistakes | No spelling errors and has all the correct disclaimers and warning labels |
| Packaging | May have a slightly thicker outer ring, a different color, or other differences | Looks exactly the same as pictures of official products |
| Pouch appearance | May be discolored | Pure white |
| Pouch smell | May have an overpowering smell of menthol or tobacco | More familiar, subtle scent |
Are Fake ZYNs Safe?
To see the dangers of fake ZYNs, all it takes is a comparison with the genuine version.
Swedish Match has spent years formulating the perfect recipe for its products, and is transparent about the nicotine pouch ingredients it uses. The pouches are made using controlled processes from its US factories in Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
Then there are the regulatory processes. For manufacturers to sell nicotine pouches in the US, they must submit a pre-market tobacco application (PMTA). Not only have ZYNs been through this process, but they’re some of the only nicotine pouches to receive full FDA authorization to market, and the first to become modified risk tobacco products.
When it comes to fakes, regulatory requirements and product transparency go out the window. This means they’re more likely to cause nasty side effects like nausea, dizziness, or mouth irritation. In some cases, they could even be dangerous — we just don’t know.
The good news is that the media hasn’t reported any serious side effects from someone using a fake yet, but it’s best to be cautious.
What to Do if You Find a Fake ZYN
If using a pouch suspected to be a fake, it’s best to take it out of the mouth immediately. In the case of serious symptoms, consult a medical professional.
Other than throwing that thing straight into the trash, consider contacting Swedish Match to let them know about the issue and open an investigation.
Some customers have reported that ZYN sent them an envelope with a shipping label so the fakes could be tested, along with some coupons.
Where to Buy Real ZYNs
Spotting retailers that stock counterfeit products may be trickier than identifying the counterfeits themselves. Sometimes, shops unknowingly stock fake products due to relying on unreliable distribution partners.
To reduce the risk, check whether a seller has return policies and an established history with positive reviews. They should also be willing and able to answer questions about product origins.
Buy Real ZYN at Prilla
At Prilla, we take our supply chain seriously and only work with trusted suppliers that get their ZYN directly from Swedish Match. To learn more about how we manage our logistics and distribution processes, check out our interview with Head of Operations Per Deshayes.
We also only work with brands that comply with the FDA’s regulatory requirements to make sure our customers get the highest-quality, safest products possible.
Whether customers want to experiment with higher strengths like ZYN Ultra Wintergreen Blast 11mg or stick to tried-and-tested classics such as ZYN Spearmint 6mg, the same careful sourcing process applies.
For anyone who has found an issue with Prilla products or is unsure about them, our customer service team is just a message away.
Are There Fakes of Any Other Brands?
Most reports of fake nicotine pouches have been centered around ZYN, especially around the time of the ZYN shortage (which is now over). Since ZYN is the most popular pouch brand in the States, it makes sense for anyone producing fakes to focus on it.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t fakes of other brands, like VELO pouches or on! pouches, floating around.
Anyone who notices any of the signs outlined here for other brands should stop using the product and report the problem to the retailer or brand.
