Let’s start with the obvious: Plastic is everywhere. In our oceans, in our food, in our bloodstreams… and until recently, even in our supplement bottles.
We at Mt. Angel Vitamins decided it was time to change that.
That’s why we’ve transitioned to glass bottles for our supplement lines—specifically the time-tested 150cc amber glass packer, the pharmaceutical gold standard for clean, inert, non-shedding packaging. Why? Because the alternative—the status quo plastic pill bottle—is not nearly as innocent as it looks.
Let’s break this down.
Plastic Bottles: Not Just Harmless Shells
Most supplement bottles on the market today are made from HDPE (that familiar white, sturdy plastic) or PET, the clear kind you see in bottled water. Add to that post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR), trendy in sustainability circles but murky when it comes to what actually ends up in the bottle.
Here’s the not-so-fun fact: these plastics shed microplastics—and sometimes nanoplastics—directly into the products we consume.
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A 2024 study found commercial omega-3 oil supplements contaminated with PET and PP microplastics, with contamination increasing 3–5× after encapsulation and packaging.
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A survey of nine fiber supplements detected microplastics in every single one, averaging ~5.9 particles per serving, including PET and polyethylene.
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And yes, even solid tablets in HDPE bottles aren’t immune—particularly from abrasion from caps, liners, labels, and even air during manufacturing.
Translation: your bottle of “clean” vitamins may come with a side of synthetic polymer particles. Delicious.
Let’s Talk About What These Microplastics Are Doing in Your Body
You’ve probably heard whispers—"Microplastics are bad"—but let’s get specific:
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Detected in human blood, placenta, liver, kidneys, and brains.
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Found embedded in atherosclerotic plaques, with one study tying their presence to increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
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Discovered in the human brain, where levels are now higher than those found in liver or kidney tissue. (That’s not the kind of “mind-altering” we’re going for.)
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In lab studies, they trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and gut microbiome changes—and that’s just what we know so far.
In short: they’re tiny, persistent, and biologically active in all the wrong ways.
But Aren’t Plastic Bottles “Safe” for Dry Tablets?
It’s true—most regulatory guidelines (like USP <1664>) categorize HDPE bottles for dry tablets as “low-risk.” But “low-risk” doesn’t mean “risk-free.”
Real-world studies have caught:
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Chemical migration of photoinitiators like benzophenone (a UV ink component) through the walls of HDPE bottles and into tablets.
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Screw cap abrasion that generates measurable microplastic particles with every twist—especially from painted caps or poor liner choices.
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Leaching of polymer additives like Irganox-1010 from HDPE into liquid pharmaceuticals.
And let’s be honest: these containers aren’t always stored in perfect, climate-controlled bliss. Heat, time, and light all accelerate microplastic release and chemical migration.
Glass: The Clean, Clear Winner
Glass isn’t magic. But when it comes to supplement packaging, it’s damn near close.
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Chemically inert – it doesn’t shed or leach anything into your supplements.
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No microplastics from the bottle itself.
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Amber glass offers natural UV protection for light-sensitive products.
The only caveat? The cap. Some studies have found microplastic contamination from polyester paints and coatings on metal caps—not from the glass itself, but from the hardware sealing it.
So, we specify unpainted closures, low-shed liners, and use foil induction seals to ensure no foreign polymers sneak into your supplements. It’s all in the details.
Our Commitment: Cleaner Packaging. Cleaner Products.
At Mt. Angel Vitamins, we don’t believe in half-measures. We're here to raise the bar—not because it's trendy, but because it's right.
We’ve transitioned to glass bottles because:
✅ They protect your supplements better
✅ They reduce your exposure to plastics
✅ They support our goal of zero microplastic contact in every SKU
We’re not perfect—but we’re committed. And we believe that a company selling products to improve your health should care about everything that touches those products. Including the bottle.
TL;DR
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Plastic supplement bottles shed microplastics and leach chemicals—especially when exposed to heat, pressure, or time.
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These particles have been found in human organs and are linked to inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and more.
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Glass bottles don’t shed or leach. They’re chemically inert and better for both you and the planet.
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Mt. Angel Vitamins now uses amber glass bottles with microplastic-safe caps—because your supplements should be as pure as your intentions.
Want to Know More?
We’ve got white papers, studies, and detailed documentation on this transition—and we’re happy to share. Our mission is to make clean, high-integrity supplements… and part of that means being transparent about how we package them.
Because what doesn’t go into your bottle is just as important as what does.
