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The Truth About Ball’s Made in USA vs. Made in China Claims
Every so often, I get messages from home canners who are concerned Ball has shifted manufacturing from the USA to China. Questions like, “Are Ball canning lids still made in the USA?” or “Are Ball canning jars made in China now?” pop up regularly. With so much conflicting information out there, it’s no wonder there’s confusion.
As a home canner myself, I know how important it is to trust the products you use to be free from harmful materials and reliable for long-term storage. I also appreciate how many of you share your concerns and help keep things accurate and up-to-date here at Made in the USA Matters – it’s a team effort, and I couldn’t do it without you!
In this post, we’ll sort through the information and separate facts from fiction so you’ll finally have an answer to the question, “Where are Ball canning lids and jars made?”
Ball Jars and Lids: A Legacy of Trust in Home Preserving
The idea of Ball moving manufacturing to China feels like a gut punch to home canners. This iconic American brand has earned its reputation for trust and reliability since introducing its first Ball-branded mason jar in 1884. When the patent for John Landis Mason’s innovative jar expired, Ball stood apart by licensing his design when others copied it. In 1909, the Ball Blue Book debuted as a humble pamphlet and, through numerous editions, has guided generations of canners in safely preserving everything from garden harvests to hearty meals. Today, Ball remains a household name, celebrated for its durable glass and dependable seals that home canners rely on.
Would Ball betray our trust by replacing our reliable jars and lids with cheaper, lower-quality versions made in China?
A Manufacturing Mystery: Sorting Facts from Fiction
Ball’s legacy of trust and quality makes the possibility of imported, lower-quality products feel like a betrayal to dedicated home canners. Fueled by supply shortages, counterfeit products, and online speculation, talk of Ball lids and jars being made in China keeps resurfacing. Let’s separate the fact from fiction and uncover the truth aboout Ball’s manufacturing processes.
Ball Lid Counterfeits Flooded the Market During Covid-19
In 2020, home canners faced a storm of challenges:
- New Hobbies: With more people staying home due to shut-downs, many took up new hobbies like gardening and canning.
- Food Scarcity Fears: The media’s intense coverage of empty grocery store shelves fueled fears of food shortages, prompting more people to take an interest in home canning.
- Shut-downs: Supply chains struggled, and production slowed or stopped in some cases, making it hard to find essential goods, including canning supplies.
During this time, counterfeit Ball canning lids bearing the brand name flooded the market. As demand surged, these fakes were sold through large online retailers and independent websites, creating confusion and fear that legitimate Ball products had been replaced by inferior versions made in China.
Misinformation in Canning Forums and Social Media Groups
Adding insult to injury, the made-in-China lids spread like wildfire through online canning forums and social media groups. Imagine this: I receive counterfeit Ball lids made in China, but I don’t realize they’re fakes. I post a picture of my half-sealed jars to my favorite canning group with the caption, “Only half my jars are sealed, so I looked closer. My lids are made in China!”
People respond, “Oh no!” and share the post in other canning groups. A homesteading “influencer” spots the posts and claims on her page that Ball lids are now made in China. Her followers see this, and one of them reports to me at Made in the USA Matters that Ball lids are no longer made in the USA. And the cycle continues.
But the buck stops here. We’re going to dig into whether these made-in-China claims are all based on rumors, speculation, and counterfeits – or if there’s any truth behind them.
Some Ball Products are Made in China
Yes, it’s true – some Ball products are manufactured overseas. While the brand is widely known for its commitment to American-made quality, certain items in its product line are made in China and other countries. These imported products include:
- Ball Easy Canner (China)
- Ball Stainless Steel Reusable Lids (China)
- Ball Wooden Lids (China & Vietnam)
- Ball Leakproof Lids (Malaysia)
- Ball Stack & Store Jars (China)
- Ball Storage Latch Jars (China)
- Secure Grip Jar Lifter (China)
While it’s clear that some products bearing the Ball name are made abroad, the real question remains: Are Ball canning lids made in the USA or China? And what about the iconic Ball mason jars – are they still proudly America-made, or have they shifted production elsewhere?
Getting to the Bottom of it! A Ballvestigation
The first thing I do whenever someone mentions that Ball lids or jars are now made in China is check the official Ball website for the most up-to-date product descriptions. I also head over to the Official Ball Amazon store for extra confirmation. Here’s why:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strict rules regarding “Made in the USA” claims. Companies making false claims about their products can face hefty fines. Even implying that a product is made in the USA without explicitly stating it can lead to penalties. Additionally, Amazon requires that sellers disclose a product’s country of origin according to guidelines set by US Customs and Border Protection. Amazon also has an excellent zoom feature that allows users to look at product packaging close-up. (Check out my secrets for finding made-in-USA products on Amazon)
In most cases, this is enough to verify product details. But sometimes, it’s worth going straight to the source to get the full picture.
The Official Ball Website
I visited the Ball website and carefully checked the product descriptions of the items that matter the most to canners: mason jars, lids, and rings. The product descriptions clearly state where each product is made, and align with the information found on the product packaging.
Ball Packaging Clues
When you pick up Ball products made in the USA, the package will clearly display “MADE IN U.S.A.” It’s a reliable indicator of the product’s origin, and Ball is diligent about ensuring the distinction is visible for products manufactured in the United States.
While all of the packages in my home are made in the USA, I wanted to verify beyond my own inventory with up-to-date information. Manufacturing can change, so I checked the packaging on the Ball website and in the official Ball Amazon store. In both places, I found that Ball lids, rings, and mason jars all proudly display “MADE IN U.S.A” on their packaging.
Straight to the Source
Aware that packaging can sometimes be outdated or that a brand may continue selling current stock of made-in-USA items while shifting manufacturing overseas, I decided this situation called for contacting the company directly.
I contacted Ball on January 20, 2025, and specifically asked about each item that matters most to canners.
- Are Ball canning jars made in the USA?
- Are Ball canning lids made in the USA
- Are Ball canning bands/rings made in the USA?
I received an answer via email on January 21, 2025, from Fresh Preserving Consumer Care (Ball and Newell Brands) confirming Ball jars, lids, and bands are made in the USA.
The email reads:
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to contact Fresh Preserving. We truly appreciate your interested in our products.
The Ball canning jars, lids, and bands are made in the United States. Have a great day!
If I can be of further assistance, please reply to this email directly so that we can see all previous replies.
It has been my pleasure assisting you! You may receive a brief survey about your experience with me. Thank you in advance for any feedback you may provide.
Sincerely, Donna
Fresh Preserving Consumer Care
There you have it! Ball jars, lids, and bands are made in the USA. Yay!
Ball Canning Lids and Jars Are Made in the USA! But Where?
Now that we’ve confirmed Ball canning jars, lids, and bands are made in the USA, let’s see where exactly these essential canning items are manufactured.
Where are Ball Lids and Jars Made?
Muncie, Indiana holds a special place in Ball’s history. It’s home to Ball State University, a school once owned by the Ball brothers and was the manufacturing site for their iconic mason jars starting in 1888. While Ball State University still thrives in Muncie, Newell Brands – Ball’s parent company – closed the manufacturing facility in 2019, marking the end of production there.
Today, Ball mason jars are produced by Ball Metal Food Container, LLC in Columbus, Ohio, and packaging and distribution takes place in Fishers, Indiana.
Ball Lids and Bands Manufactured in the USA
- Ball Regular Mouth Lids
- Ball Wide Mouth Lids
- Ball Regular Mouth Lids and Bands
- Ball Wide Mouth Lids and Bands
Ball Jars Manufactured in the USA
- Ball Regular Mouth Mason Jars
- Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars
- Ball Jelly Jars (All Styles)
- Ball Honeybee Mason Jars
- Ball Rose Vintage Mason Jars
- Ball Flute Mason Jars
Domestic or Imported: The Scoop on Other Canning Brands
For many home canners, knowing where your jars and lids are made is important so you can make decisions that align with your values. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits your needs and keeps your pantry stocked with safely preserved goods.
USA-Made Canning Brands
Check out our other food preservation guides for comprehensive lists of canning products made in the USA.
- All American Canner: An in-depth look at the All American pressure canner, the gold standard in home pressure canning.
- Canners made in the USA: Reliable canner brands that take pride manufacturing in the USA.
- Canning jars made in the USA: Mason canning jars made in the USA for all your canning and preserving needs.
- Canning lids made in the USA: Premium American-made lids designed to create an airtight seal you can count on.
- Canning accessories made in the USA: Funnels and a few other canning supplies I found that are made in the USA.
Canning Brands Manufactured Abroad
It’s helpful to know which canning brands really are made in China. For good measure, here’s a list of some familiar names in canning that manufacture their products outside of the USA.
Chat About It in the Comments!
Which canning brands have you used, and what’s your experience with them? Share your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
If you enjoyed this post, you’d probably love my detailed look at the American-made All American Pressure Canner.
