Mason jars are more than just canning essentials; they’re a symbol of American ingenuity, self-reliance, and homesteading heritage. From food preservation and pantry storage to home decor and DIY crafts, these versatile glass jars have stood the test of time. While mason jars were born in the USA, globalization has shifted much of the glass manufacturing overseas. Thankfully, a few trusted brands continue to manufacture mason jars domestically. Below, we highlight the brands that still make mason jars in the USA and provide guidance on how to verify genuine American-made options while you’re shopping.
Complete List of Mason Jar Brands Made in the USA
Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Lancaster, Ohio, Anchor Hocking has been a trusted name in American-made glassware for over a century. Their mason jars are produced at their original manufacturing facility in Lancaster, using domestically sourced materials and time-tested glass-forming techniques. Anchor Hocking mason jars are available in a variety of sizes and styles and are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. Ideal for storage, canning, or decorative use, these jars reflect the durability and quality associated with American-made glass. The company maintains complete domestic control over its manufacturing process, ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards.
Ball is the quintessential name in mason jars, synonymous with home canning in the United States since the late 1800s. Now owned by Newell Brands, Ball (and its sister brand Kerr) continues to manufacture its glass jars in the USA at facilities in Indiana and other domestic locations. The jars themselves (including the iconic clear, quilted, and wide-mouth varieties) are proudly made in the United States. However, it’s important to note that while the jars are U.S.-made, some Ball/Kerr lids and bands may be manufactured overseas. According to recent reports, lids are often produced in China. If you’re focused on 100% domestic sourcing, you should seek out lids from third-party American suppliers or contact Ball directly for sourcing specifics.
How to Find Mason Jars Made in the USA
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a product labeled as “Made in the USA” must be “all or virtually all” made within the United States. This means that all significant processing, materials, and labor must occur domestically. However, the FTC does not require companies to label domestic products unless they make a specific claim, and enforcement of misleading claims is often inconsistent.
Terms like “Assembled in the USA” or “Made in USA with Global Materials” suggest partial overseas sourcing. For folks seeking truly American-made mason jars, it’s important to dig into the fine print or contact the manufacturer directly. For more information on interpreting origin claims, see our complete guide on finding American made products.
Materials
Mason jars are composed primarily of glass, with metal or plastic components used for the lids and bands. Understanding where these materials come from is essential when evaluating whether a product is genuinely American-made.
Glass
Glass is the primary material used in mason jars, and the U.S. maintains a robust domestic glass industry. Anchor Hocking and Ball source and manufacture their glass in American facilities, using domestically available silica, limestone, and soda ash – the primary components of soda-lime glass. U.S.-made glass is known for its consistency, clarity, and food-safe integrity. Buying American-made glass jars typically means higher quality and stricter environmental and safety standards.
Metal Lids and Bands
Mason jar lids are typically made from tin-plated or stainless steel. While some lid manufacturing is still done in the U.S., many major brands, including Ball, have shifted this part of production overseas in recent years, most notably to China. These imported components can be more prone to quality issues, including sealing failures. If a completely American-made product is your goal, consider pairing U.S.-made jars with lids from third-party manufacturers that offer confirmed domestic production.
Plastisol Sealant
The inner sealing ring on most mason jar lids is made from plastisol, a PVC-based compound. While many domestic producers still make food-grade plastisol liners in the U.S., the sourcing of these materials can vary. The safest bet is to buy from companies that are transparent about where their lids and seals are produced.
Labeling
Under Title 19, Chapter 4, Section 1304, imported goods must be clearly labeled with their country of origin. U.S.-made products only require a “Made in the USA” label if a company is making an explicit marketing claim. When that claim is made, the FTC mandates that the product be “all or virtually all” made in the United States.
Watch out for misleading labels such as:
- “Assembled in USA”
- “Designed in USA”
- “Made in USA with Imported Materials”
These often indicate that key materials or components are sourced from abroad. For mason jars, it’s especially important to verify the origin of both the glass and the lids. Brands that are truly transparent about their sourcing typically make this information easy to find online or through customer service.
Final Tips
If you’re seeking mason jars that are truly Made in the USA, both Anchor Hocking and Ball offer strong options. Anchor Hocking controls all aspects of manufacturing at its Ohio facility, while Ball continues to produce its glass jars domestically; however, caution is warranted regarding their lids and bands.
For any other brands you’re researching that aren’t mentioned above, if they aren’t transparent about country of origin information on their website, contact them directly or check third-party retailers like Amazon, as they sometimes list the country of origin in the product details.
Do your research, look for transparent labeling, and don’t hesitate to reach out to manufacturers with questions.
Mason Jar Manufacturers Not Made in the USA
We came across a few mason jars that aren’t made domestically.
- Weck Jars: Manufactured in Germany.
- Le Parfait: Manufactured in France.
- Bormioli Rocco (Quattro Stagioni): Manufactured in Italy.
- Penley: Manufactured in China.
- Denali: Manufactured in China.
- ForJars: Manufactured in China.
- Yera: Manufactured in India.
