Over the last two years, the use of e juices has become widespread, and the demand is still increasing. To meet the high demand, many brands are now in the market producing vaping substances, e-liquids/e-juices.
However, the market vastly remains unregulated, leaving room for unscrupulous manufacturers to false their way in the market, providing low-quality vape juice.
Anywhere in this food creation process, creativesafetysupply.com helps to monitor and analyze potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards. To standardize the quality of products offered in the market, a set of regulations and guidelines that govern the production of vape juices are in place. All manufacturers must follow these rules to ensure the safety of consumers.
Professionals from companies like zamplebox.com, points out that you are solely responsible for your health. It’s upon you to ensure that you get the best e juice of 2024 that is lab-tested and meet the required standards.
Here are some of the things to check to ensure your e-liquid is safe:
Safety Regulations on Nicotine-Containing Liquids
With over 50 million consumers of e juice and e-cigarettes globally, there’s a need for regulations. It is also good to ensure consumers are not put at risk by what they consume.
Here are some of the common regulations that authorities in various jurisdictions required manufacturers to adhere to:
All e-cigarette tanks should not exceed a maximum of 2ml.
The maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid should be 10ml for one refill.
E-liquids should have a nicotine strength not exceeding 20mg/ml.
Nicotine-containing products and their packaging should be children and tamper-proof, designed so they cannot break. The container’s designs should allow for proper refilling without any leakage. Additives and other ingredients that pause danger to the consumers of the products are restricted.
There are also labeling requirements that require all products to list down the following instructions and warnings:
- Manufacturing companies should indicate storage instructions and directions for use, showing the consumers’ age restrictions.
- Manufacturers should clearly state any dangers the product could pose to a specific group of people and give allergy information if any.
- They should also warn customers against the addictive factor and any other toxic traits in the product.
Tests and Analysis
There are several tests that manufacturers need to carry out before distributing the products to the public. The ingredients and flavoring of nicotine-containing e-liquids need testing to ensure they are fit for human consumption.
The tests include:
Analysis for the Ingredients of E-liquids
E-liquids contain vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, water, different flavors, and nicotine in varying concentrations. All these raw materials need to undergo testing to ensure they meet the set regulations. The manufacturers should keep the analysis data in the product library so that if the batch product develops an issue; then, they can present the test analysis.
Propylene Glycol
PG is one of the primary ingredients of e-liquids, and according to research, it can be harmful if inhaled. Research shows that PG has a drying effect on its users and may cause allergic reactions. On the other hand, it is used as a solvent in the manufacture of food colors and intravenous drugs like cough syrup. However, PG is harmless when used as a food additive and consumed through ingestion.
Vegetable Glycerin
VG is also one of the main ingredients of e-liquids and is entirely harmless. The raw material is a plant-based carbohydrate that thickens the e-liquid. Vegetable glycerin passed all tests by the Food Drug Administration (FDA) and was declared compliant with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices.
Analysis of Flavor compounds
Some of the flavorings of e-liquids are harmful for human consumption, mostly when vaporized at high temperatures and inhaled with the smoke. Conducting a GCMS/MS test on the e-liquids is one way to determine the quality of the flavors. Manufacturers should ensure all their products get this test for public safety.
An analysis of heavy metals should also be done on the flavorings using the ICP-OES Spectrometry test. The European Commission Directive 88/388/CEE even set a maximum concentration value of 5 toxic metals, mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and tin. Other metals such as aluminum and copper are also present in the e-liquid, making it necessary for manufacturers to test the products and ensure they are entirely free from toxic ingredients.
Vape Juice/E-liquid Safety: What to Check and What to Avoid
Although e-liquid companies are required to provide crucial information on the labels and packaging, not all of them will. In fact, some may provide false information just for the sake.
Here’s a roundup of important things to keep in mind to end up with the best quality and safe vape juice:
Check Quality
Everyone wants to save a few bucks, but not when your health is on the line. Most inferior vape juices are made using cheap production methods that don’t guarantee safety. However, expensive doesn’t mean quality either.
Always stick to reputable manufacturers who invest heavily in their manufacturing methods. You’ll notice them by their packaging; most established companies use glass bottles and their products are well labeled.
Check the Ingredients
E-liquids are flavored, and sometimes manufacturers use different kinds of ingredients. Some of the ingredients can be nasty. Before buying, confirm that the ingredients are natural and meet the required food grade.
Check Nicotine Content
If you’re vaping for pleasure, you don’t need huge amounts of nicotine. Choose e-liquids with the least amount of nicotine
Check Safety Features
E-liquids are designed with delicious flavors that can be a source of attraction to your curious kids. Although keeping the products away is the best method, you can be caught unaware. So, opt for products with advanced safety features like child-resistant caps.
Such child-resistant packaging is designed to make it difficult for young kids to access harmful content easily. But the packaging must be easy for you to use it. While child-resistant caps might not be 100% safe, they significantly reduce child poisoning.
Avid these Ingredients
- Diacetyl: Normally used to add unique butter flavor but has been associated with lung disease. Safe vape juices are free from this chemical. Always buy diacetyl-free e-liquids.
- Acetoin: This chemical and diacetyl share a similar structure. It’s said to convert to diacetyl making it equally harmful.
- Acetyl Propionyl: Some manufacturers use Acetyl Propionyl in place of diacetyl, but it’s much safer to use products that are free from propionyl.
Bottom Line
With hundreds of businesses in the rush to take advantage of the booming vaping industry, regulation is quite challenging. Some can use substandard production methods that expose users to health risks. That’s why authorities are stepping in with various manufacturing guidelines.
Nevertheless, a more significant burden lies on you as a consumer. You have the right to important information on the products you buy. Quality products should have test results ready when required and should be well labeled with a list of all the ingredients used.
In this article are some of the crucial things to check before buying any vape juice or e-liquid. The best way to ensure you’re taking safe products is by buying quality products from a reputable manufacturer.
