Posting on a UK Facebook group, Toni claims her daughter's bottle PrimeUP bottle had black mould in the crevices of the lids

A mother has issued a marning to parents after claiming a £30 AirUp bottle has been making her daughter sick.

The bottles – which make water taste of flavours such as watermelon and cola – have become the latest classroom craze.

Posting on a UK Facebook group, Toni claims her daughter’s bottle has black mould in the crevices of the lids.

In the post, entitled AirUp Bottles, she wrote: ‘Guys, I’m a real fan of the concept of these bottles but please check your lids. We wash ours thoroughly with soap and water every single day.’

MailOnline has approached AirUp for comment.  

Posting on a UK Facebook group, Toni claims her daughter's bottle PrimeUP bottle had black mould in the crevices of the lids

Posting on a UK Facebook group, Toni claims her daughter’s bottle PrimeUP bottle had black mould in the crevices of the lids

Toni said she was concerned that her daughter was ill as a result of the mould, saying she'd been complaining of feeling unwell for weeks

Toni said she was concerned that her daughter was ill as a result of the mould, saying she’d been complaining of feeling unwell for weeks 

 

‘Yet one of our five bottles has signs of black mould residue in the crevices in the lids.’

She went on to write: ‘I noticed it after my kittle girl had been saying she felt poorly for ages.’

She then urged other parents to check their bottles, writing: ‘You really need to look, it’s not easy to see.

‘Obviously we now can’t use the bottles and haven’t for weeks. Daughter is no longer feeling poorly.’

She added that she had contacted AirUp for advice but had been left ‘thoroughly disappointed’.

AirUp's pods trick the brain into thinking the tap water is flavoured, thanks to a concept known as retronasal smell

AirUp’s pods trick the brain into thinking the tap water is flavoured, thanks to a concept known as retronasal smell

Last month, a Bournemouth teacher known as Mr Squires shared on Twitter the number of AirUp bottles ¿ which can make water taste flavoured using a scent pod ¿ pupils in his class had, saying: 'Almost £300 worth of "Air Up" water bottles in my classroom'

Last month, a Bournemouth teacher known as Mr Squires shared on Twitter the number of AirUp bottles – which can make water taste flavoured using a scent pod – pupils in his class had, saying: ‘Almost £300 worth of “Air Up” water bottles in my classroom’

In response, a spokesman for AirUp said: ‘Our drinking system, though innovative, still needs regular cleaning – just as any other re-usable drinking container.

‘To clean our bottles, including the lid, we recommend using a small brush with water and mild detergent – that helps getting into the hard-reach areas. 

‘If you don’t have a brush at home, we offer one in our webshop. 

‘For any additional questions, please read the manual for cleaning instructions, where we recommend our drinking system to be cleaned after each use. 

‘That way, you can enjoy our scent-based hydration while maintaining hygiene standards in no time at all.’

The AirUp bottles have become a huge hit with pupils, following the previous craze of the Prime energy drinks. 

The product, which launched in the UK in 2021, can be filled with normal tap water, but tricks the brain into thinking its contents are flavoured, thanks to aroma pods.

The pods release scents up the nose as you sip, which pass through the throat to the brain where they manifest as taste.

However, the clever technology comes with a hefty price tag – the most basic bottle costs £24.99 with three pods starting at £4.99. 

A stainless steel version with five pods rings is £54.99. 

How do AirUp bottles work? 

The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured, thanks to a concept known as retronasal smell. 

AirUp explained: ‘This is the technical term for a simple process – tasting with your nose. 

‘When you smell something, it passes through the throat to the olfactory centre in the nose and manifests in the brain as taste. Simple. Genius. Mind-blowing. 

‘80% of the tastes you experience are actually things you are smelling. The tongue may talk the talk, but it’s the nose that walks the walk when it comes to taste.’

The pods come in a range of flavours, including passionfruit, elderflower, coffee, cucumber and cola.

An ordinary water bottle costs just a few pounds, but parents on social media have been sharing how their offspring have been putting pressure on them to have AirUps.

Last month, one teacher @MrSquires_Y3, who works at a primary school in Bournemouth, shared a photo of the bottles in his class, with AirUps dominating.

He wrote: ‘Almost £300 worth of “Air Up” water bottles in my classroom.’

Another teacher, @jonnybid, added: ‘I really hope our school insurance policy covers all the AirUp bottles that are currently knocking about my classroom.’ 

AirUp was founded by Lena Jungst and Tim Jager, and arrived in the UK in 2021. 

German entrepreneur Jungst says the bottle invites ‘people to experiment a bit with flavour. It’s a new way of perceiving flavour – nothing like this has existed before’.

The product itself has been widely praised by parents who struggle to get their children to drink water regularly – NHS guidelines suggest children should drink six to eight cups of water a day – because the flavour encourages them to hydrate more. 

@Catherine443 wrote on Twitter: ‘To be fair, if they help children drink water, they are a much kinder craze then many other crazies.’

Others though recoiled at the price of the bottle. @MsGamiet wrote: ‘The latest craze!!! Someone’s made a fat load of money on it – they’re insanely expensive!’

@Elizabe97613344 added: ‘What an expense. Madness.’ 

The AirUps’ flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured, thanks to a concept known as retronasal smell. 

AirUp explained: ‘This is the technical term for a simple process – tasting with your nose. 

‘When you smell something, it passes through the throat to the olfactory centre in the nose and manifests in the brain as taste. Simple. Genius. Mind-blowing. 

’80 per cent of the tastes you experience are actually things you are smelling. The tongue may talk the talk, but it’s the nose that walks the walk when it comes to taste.’

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