Discontinuing the Inclusion of Red Dye with BOROUX Filters
In late 2025 and early 2026, BOROUX will transition away from recommending the red dye test. Historically, red food coloring was included with every set of filters because it was a required step in the installation process. The Red Dye Test was used to ensure the filters were installed correctly. Moving forward it is no longer recommended or required, and therefore a vial of red dye will no longer be included with a filter purchase. In our commitment to serve our customers, we implemented several improvements that support the discontinuation of the Red Dye Test.
The Reason for the Change?
The number one reason for the change is our deep commitment to serving our customers. Our mission is to provide access to clean water and that means removing barriers for people to to drink filtered water. From thousands of tickets from customer service and reviewing consumer feedback, we’ve heard that setting up a BOROUX water filtration system can be difficult for some people. This is a barrier and we’re committed to making the assembly-before-use easier.
Examples of ways that we’re making installation easier include; the inclusion of a Quick Start Guide and a comprehensive User’s Manual, several how-to videos, written and illustrated instructions, the development of the Automatic Filter Primer, and now the removal of a cumbersome step. Removing the Red Dye Test makes access to clean filtered water faster and easier.
We’re also not just a water filter company, we’re a wellness company. With the recent studies linking red dye to negative health implications, we’re aligning ourselves with our health-conscious customers. We know many of our customers have banned red dye products from their homes already and we don’t want to be the ones to reintroduce a toxin to their nontoxic home.
Policy is moving towards the elimination of red dye 40 by the end of 2026. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration plans to phase out petroleum-based food dyes, including Red Dye 40. Red Dye 3 has already been banned. We’re committed to staying up to date with industry regulations and be an early adopter for health-conscious policies.
We also felt comfortable removing the red dye and eliminating the red dye test because of the extensive laboratory test results that we provide to our customers. What other product do you have to test before you use? BOROUX filters are effective and can prove it with third-party test reports and official certifications. The filters are guaranteed to work. The red dye test is not used to test filter effectiveness, it’s only used as an indicator for correct installation. We are poured hours into making our instructions easy and set up something anyone could do.
How Will I Know the Filters are Working?
Experts followed strict testing protocols and conclusively agreed that BOROUX filters effectively filter 80+ contaminants. Through an extensive and accurate process, BOROUX filters are certified. This achievement serves as an industry-leading example of product efficacy. Test reports are readily available for consumers to scrutinize.
We love skeptics and believe trust is earned. If you’d like to see for yourself what the filters are filtering out, try out a home test kit. We like My Tap Score because of their adamant neutrality and commitment to accuracy. It’s a great way to compare tap water quality to BOROUX filtered water quality.
Related: TDS Meters are Not an Accurate Measurement for Filtration
How Do I Know I Installed the Filters Correctly?
The most common cause for a failed red dye test is improper installation due to the misplacement of the washers. The black filter washers should go on the inside of the upper chamber. The washer does NOT go on the bottom or outside of the upper chamber.
If you have questions or need help with installation, contact us. You can talk to a real human and we’ll walk you through the setup process step by step. Contact us.
What is the Red Dye Test?
A visual, at-home test to ensure the filters are installed correctly. Red dye is used because it is a highly visible liquid. It is a substance that can be easily seen, making the test easy to confirm.
The red dye makes the test easy to do at home because it makes a clear distinction if the test fails or passes. If the water is clear--all's well. If the water is pink or red-tinted--the test failed, and your system is not set up properly.
Double-check the correct placing of all the pieces, specifically the washers and wingnuts. The washer should be in the upper chamber, and the wingnut should be in the lower chamber. Be sure not to over-tighten the wingnut causing the stem threads to be stripped, which would allow unfiltered water to pass through.
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Place the upper chamber on clear glass jars so that each stem will empty into a glass.
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In a pitcher, add 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water. Mix the number of gallons your water filter system holds.
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Pour the mixed, red-dyed water into the chamber. The filters should be fully submerged.
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Allow the water to flow through the filters into the glasses below and examine. If the water is clear, that indicates a passed test! If the water has a pink or red tint this indicates a failed test.
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Discard dyed water.
Love the Red Dye Test? Don’t Want to See it Go Away?
Hello to options! Personalized water wellness is our thing and that means you have choices. If you would still like to perform the red dye test, you can! You can purchase red dye separately or use artificial red food coloring (while it's still available). The red dye test is no longer required or recommended, however we believe you know what’s best for you. We’ve provided the information, you can now make the informed decision.
With the national movement to eliminate synthetic dyes, BOROUX aligns with the efforts and is phasing out the inclusion of red dye with filters. The red dye test was used as a way to verify correct installation, however with improved instructions, the possibility of incorrect installation is reduced. At this time, red dye can be purchased separately for those who still wish to perform the red dye test. BOROUX is continuously improving and eliminating red dye is the latest endeavor.
Affiliate Disclaimer
To be completely transparent and offer a disclaimer, we use affiliate links for My Tap Score, meaning we may earn a very small commission for recommending their products and services. Also in full disclosure, they do not recommend us or any water filter, so it's a one-way recommendation, ensuring that their test results are unbiased.
