We all know and love those copper Moscow Mule mugs.
However, it is with deep regret that we inform you the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division just issued an advisory bulletin that says those trendy copper mugs may be bad for your health.
The Food and Drug Administration’s Model Food Code “prohibits copper from coming into direct contact with foods that have a pH below 6.0.” Examples of foods with a pH below 6.0 are vinegar, fruit juice and wine.
Since a Mule is traditionally made using vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, it does not meet the pH criteria.
The silver lining, however, is that the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division says “copper mugs lined on the interior with another metal, such as nickel or stainless steel, are allowed to be used and are widely available.”
So next time, just make sure the inside of your mug is lined!
The irony of this news is that the last time copper drink wear made the news, research showed results suggesting health benefits. This was due to the mineral’s role in brain function, red blood cell production and in maintaining collagen and elastin.
That study, though, was based off of drinking water from copper cups — without factoring in drinks that have large pH balances.