Be Alert, Not Alarmed: How to Spot Fake ZYNs

ZYN has quickly become a household name among nicotine pouch users and, unfortunately, the latest target for counterfeiters trying to cash in on the brand’s popularity with their own cheap imitation products.  


As demand for ZYN continues to outpace supply in the US, more fakes have begun infiltrating the market. These cans may look the same at first glance but, upon closer inspection, they’re far from the real deal.  


Aside from deceiving customers into paying for an inferior product, these knockoff nicotine pouches also carry extra risks. This is where we step in. Armed with the right information, you can protect yourself from fake products and ensure you’re getting the authentic ZYN experience you know and trust, every time. 

Key Takeaways

  • Fake ZYNs are not just a waste of money—they’re also potentially harmful with unknown ingredients and unconfirmed nicotine levels. 

  • Keep an eye out for cans with packaging errors or pouches that seem “off” in terms of color, texture, and/or smell. 

  • Another big indicator of a fake product is if the QR code on the back of the can is missing or not able to be scanned. 

  • You can dial 1-855-YOUR ZYN to report a fake product or even escalate it to the FDA. 

  • To avoid being duped, always buy from reputable retailers. 

  • We independently test the pouches we stock and have customer protections in place (such as 21+ age verification, refund/return policies, as well as a loyalty program). 

The Risks of Fake Nicotine Pouches

Fake ZYNs aren’t just a waste of money, they can be potentially dangerous too. Some of the risks we’ve identified include:

  • Not adhering to product safety standards (they may contain toxic or harmful ingredients that haven’t undergone proper testing);
  • Unconfirmed nicotine dosage (the milligrams on the label may not correspond with what’s actually inside the pouch);
  • Improperly sealed or unsanitary packaging (there have been reports of mold and other contaminants making their way into cans);
  • Plus! Fake products mean you’re not eligible for customer support or the ZYN Rewards program. 

In short: Fake ZYN pouches pose unknown health concerns and fail to deliver in terms of product quality. This negatively impacts your level of enjoyment, not to mention the value you get with every purchase. There’s no substitute for real ZYN manufactured by Swedish Match. 

Red Flags To Look Out For

You can always shop with confidence on Nicokick, but for those of you who may be buying nicotine pouches elsewhere (especially smaller tobacconists or convenience stores), it’s important to be able to recognize a real ZYN from a fake one. 

Can Design

✅  Clean print

✅  Consistent fonts

✅  Embossed lid

✅  Scratch-resistant finish

❌  Blurry or pixellated printing

❌  Incorrect spelling

❌  Off-color packaging/logos

❌  If the lid is flimsy, hard to open, or doesn't "click" shut

QR Codes

✅  Scannable (it should take you to the ZYN Rewards page)

❌  Missing, non-functional, or takes you to a copycat site 

Seals & Labels

✅  Factory-sealed 

✅  Best before date on the bottom of the can with a batch number 

❌  Missing a best before date and/or batch number

❌  Loosely sealed or oddly glued lids

Pouches

✅  15 white, evenly-filled, semi-dry pouches 

✅  Malleable texture

❌  More or less than 15 pouches 

❌  Discoloration 

❌  Irregular shape 

❌  Stiff or extra dry to touch 

Smell

✅  No strong odor aside from the intended ZYN flavor 

❌  An overly chemical or musty smell 

Buying from the Right Sort of Retailers

At the end of the day, a "fake it ‘til you make it" mentality doesn’t get you far in the world of nicotine pouches. Fans of ZYN have come to expect a certain standard and are now posting in online forums like Reddit to warn other users of bad experiences they’ve had.  

In addition to examining the cans and pouches themselves, it’s important to consider who you’re buying from as well. Things to be aware of include:  

  • Too-good-to-be-true pricing: Massive discounts from unfamiliar sites or retailers should be an immediate red flag.

  • Unverified third parties: If you’re buying from an online retailer that doesn’t have a dedicated customer service team, real product reviews, or robust age verification, you increase your chances of ending up with a dud product. 

  • If they can't answer questions: Legitimate vendors will know their supply chain and stand behind their products or offer an exchange/refund if you’re not satisfied. Illegitimate vendors won’t. 
Nicokick's Trustpilot Rating Nicokick's Trustpilot Rating

Here at Nicokick, we’ve built up strong relationships with our suppliers over the years and have an established track record of only stocking products that are independently lab tested. This goes hand-in-hand with our high Trustpilot score based on more than 2,000 customer reviews, and the fact that you can earn double rewards points through our loyalty program as well as ZYN’s. All in all, we think that speaks volumes when it comes to quality and service you can trust.   

Help! I've Accidentally Bought Fake ZYNs

If something about your ZYN looks, feels, or tastes off, chances are you’ve got a can of counterfeit pouches.  

Here’s what to do next:

  • Stop using the products immediately and if you start to feel sick, contact your doctor.

  • Get in touch with the shop where you purchased the pouches and notify them of the problem. In this case, you may need to provide photos of:
    • The front and back of the can;
    • The batch number and QR code (or lack thereof);
    • Any unusual features or packaging flaws.

  • If they’re not willing to provide an exchange or refund, let ZYN know! Fill out the Contact Us form on their website or call 1-855-YOUR ZYN to report suspected fakes.

  • The FDA can take these complaints even further if you choose to report a Potential Tobacco Product Violation. 

Being able to spot a fake ZYN is one way of protecting yourself and your wallet. Share this guide with anyone else you know who uses ZYN to make sure they don’t fall for fakes either. Together, we can stand up to black-market vendors and make it safer to shop for smoke-free alternatives. 

FAQs

  • Unfortunately, fake ZYNs are a growing concern. People are attempting to take advantage of the ongoing stock shortage by piggybacking on the brand’s success and tricking consumers into buying their inferior, potentially dangerous nicotine pouches with deceptive marketing and extremely low prices.
  • Real ZYN (manufactured by Swedish Match) is known for their quality and consistency, so if there are obvious discrepancies with the look, feel, or flavor of the pouches you just bought from what you usually get, it could be an imitation product. You might notice that the branding is slightly off, the cans are poorly made, or the QR code on the back isn’t scannable. These are all warning signs that the pouches are fake and shouldn’t be consumed. 
  • Fake ZYN pouches can be discolored, strangely textured, or particularly stiff and dry. If the can has an overly chemical smell when you open it or the pouches burn a lot when put in your mouth, stop using them and request a refund from wherever you bought them instead.
  • A lot of times, these “wannabe ZYNs” try to appeal by undercutting regular retail prices. They can cost anywhere between $2 and $4 compared to usual prices of $4 to $6. Generally, if you notice ZYN deals or discounts that are too good to be true, they probably are.
  • These fake products lack the consistency and quality of real ZYN, which means some pouches may contain more or less nicotine than the milligrams printed on the label. This can lead to an unpredictable nicotine experience or potentially even dangerous doses.
  • Every real can of ZYN has a QR code on the bottom—just use your smartphone’s camera to scan it and click the link that appears on-screen. You’ll be redirected to the ZYN Rewards site where you can log in or create an account to claim 15 points per can.

    If you’re unable to access the website or it takes a suspiciously long time to load, your ZYN could be fake.

    (Don’t forget that every can of ZYN ordered through Nicokick is also eligible for 1 point per dollar spent if registered via our loyalty program).
  • If you suspect your ZYNs are fake, stop using them immediately and get in touch with wherever you bought them. Keep in mind that you may need to provide pictures of the can/pouches as proof. If you’re not granted a full refund or exchange, you should dial 1-855-YOUR ZYN or fill out the form on ZYN’s website to report the incident.