Is Morton Himalayan salt real or fake? A full investigation into its origins

December 6, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2021, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Morton Salt, Inc., alleging the company misled consumers by misrepresenting the geographic origin of its pink Himalayan salt. This legal challenge brought to light a significant question many consumers have: Is Morton Himalayan salt actually real, or is its marketing deceptive?

Quick Summary

This investigation examines the class-action lawsuit against Morton, explores the authentic origin of Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan's Khewra Salt Mine, and clarifies the marketing claims versus the product's actual sourcing.

Key Points

Sourcing Controversy: Morton Salt faced a 2021 class-action lawsuit for allegedly misrepresenting its pink salt as coming directly from the Himalayan mountains, when it originates from the Salt Range in Pakistan.
Authentic Source: The Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan is the actual and primary source of all pink Himalayan salt, including Morton's.
Salt is Geologically Real: The pink salt itself is authentic, minimally processed rock salt rich in trace minerals like iron oxide, which gives it its pink color.
Marketing vs. Reality: The core issue isn't the salt's authenticity, but the misleading marketing that capitalizes on the mystique of the Himalayas.
Purity vs. Additives: While authentic pink salt is minimally processed, table salt is highly refined and often contains anti-caking agents and added iodine.
Verifying Authenticity: A simple water test can help detect if pink salt is artificially dyed, as real Himalayan salt will not rapidly bleed its color.
Informed Consumer Choice: Consumers should be aware of marketing claims and understand that authentic Himalayan salt comes from Pakistan, not the Himalayan mountain peaks.

The Truth Behind the 'Himalayan' Label

Many consumers buy pink Himalayan salt believing it is harvested from the highest peaks of the Himalayan mountain range. However, this common assumption is incorrect. Authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra Salt Mine, located in the Punjab region of Pakistan, which sits at the foothills of the Himalayas, hundreds of miles away from the main mountain range. The salt itself is very real and comes from ancient sea salt deposits protected by the mountains for millions of years.

The Morton Salt Class-Action Lawsuit

In September 2021, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Morton Salt, Inc. The plaintiffs alleged that Morton's labeling, which claims the salt is “harvested from ancient sea salt deposits deep within the Himalayas,” is misleading. According to the lawsuit, Morton sources its salt from the Khewra mine in Pakistan but intentionally omits this detail, leveraging the mystique of the Himalayas to justify a higher price. The case looks to represent consumers who purchased Morton's pink salt expecting it to come from the renowned mountain range. Morton's official website has made statements claiming the salt is sourced "directly from the Himalayan Mountains", which the lawsuit directly challenges as inaccurate geographical marketing.

Is the Salt Itself Real?

Putting the geographical debate aside, the salt itself is authentic rock salt. It's minimally processed, often just washed and ground after being hand-mined. Its distinctive pink hue comes from its natural mineral composition, particularly iron oxide. The pink salt's composition is different from regular table salt, containing around 96-98% sodium chloride and a small percentage of trace minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. This contrasts with standard table salt, which is highly refined and often contains additives and minimal trace minerals. The issue for consumers isn't the authenticity of the salt as a geological product, but rather the veracity of the marketing narrative surrounding its origin and purity. As one source noted, "The product is often promoted with unsupported claims that it has health benefits".

How to Check for Fake Pink Salt

While the Morton lawsuit centers on sourcing claims rather than outright fakeness, it is possible for some pink salts on the market to be faked or dyed. Here's how to check:

The Water Test: A simple method is to dissolve a spoonful of the salt in a glass of water. If the water immediately turns a dark pink or reddish color, the salt may have been artificially dyed. Authentic Himalayan salt will not quickly bleed its color into water.
Check the Color and Texture: Authentic Himalayan pink salt has a natural, slightly uneven color with varying shades of pink, orange, or white. The crystals are typically coarse. If the color is unnaturally bright or perfectly uniform, or the texture is too fine and powdered, it could be a fake.
Price Check: Genuine, hand-mined Himalayan salt from Pakistan is more expensive to produce than standard table salt. If the price seems too good to be true, it might be a lower-quality or counterfeit product.
Review Packaging: Look for reputable brands that provide transparency on their packaging regarding the sourcing. While the "Himalayan" name is used broadly, brands that specify their salt comes from Pakistan's Khewra mine are more likely to be legitimate.

Comparing Different Salts


Criteria	Morton's Himalayan Pink Salt	Authentic Himalayan (Khewra Mine)	Standard Table Salt
Sourcing Claim	Historically marketed as directly from "Himalayan Mountains".	Sourced from Khewra Salt Mine, Salt Range, Pakistan.	Sourced from evaporated brine from salt lakes or oceans.
Legal Status	Sued for alleged misrepresentation of origin.	No legal issues, considered the authentic source.	Standard food-grade salt, no notable legal challenges regarding origin.
Processing	Minimally processed (washed, ground). May include additives like iodine.	Minimally processed, hand-mined, washed, and ground.	Highly refined, often contains anti-caking agents and iodine.
Composition	High in sodium chloride, with trace minerals like iron and potassium.	High in sodium chloride (~96-98%) with a complex of 84 trace minerals.	High in sodium chloride (~99.8%).
Appearance	Varies in shade, from light pink to reddish depending on the mineral content.	Varies in shades of pink, orange, and off-white due to mineral variations.	Uniformly white, crystalline.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, is Morton Himalayan salt real or fake? The salt is chemically and geologically real. It's authentic rock salt with the characteristic trace minerals that give it its color and flavor profile. The controversy is not about the salt's inherent properties, but about the marketing narrative. Morton was accused of using deceptive marketing tactics by claiming the salt came directly from the Himalayas, rather than the more geographically accurate Salt Range of Pakistan where the Khewra mine is located. For consumers, this means while the salt itself is authentic, the story behind its origin may have been exaggerated for marketing purposes. Buyers concerned about the ethics and accuracy of sourcing should look for brands that specify the Khewra Salt Mine or other sources within the Pakistan Salt Range. Ultimately, the question isn't whether the salt is "real," but rather whether the story told to sell it is entirely true. For more information on the history and sourcing of Himalayan salt, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to a 2021 class-action lawsuit, Morton's Himalayan salt is sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Salt Range of Pakistan, not directly from the Himalayan mountains as its packaging may imply.

The class-action lawsuit filed against Morton Salt in 2021 accused the company of misleading consumers about the geographical origin of its pink salt. While the case brought important facts to light, the specifics of its resolution may not be widely publicized.

Yes, real Himalayan salt does exist. It is authentic rock salt mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, and its pink color comes from naturally occurring trace minerals.

You can perform a water test. Drop some salt in a glass of water; if the water immediately turns a dark pink, it may contain artificial dyes. Authentic Himalayan salt will dissolve slowly and will not quickly change the water's color.

The health benefits of Himalayan salt are often debated and lack scientific consensus. While it contains trace minerals, the amount consumed through seasoning is minimal. The key difference lies in processing and potential additives, not necessarily brand-specific health advantages.

The term 'Himalayan salt' is a widespread marketing label. It's considered misleading when it implies sourcing from the high Himalayan mountain range, as the salt universally originates from Pakistan's Salt Range foothills. Consumers should be aware that the name refers to the geological region rather than the mountain peaks.

Morton offers both iodized and non-iodized pink salt. They add iodide to some varieties, making it a source of this necessary nutrient, which is a common practice for many salt products.

Yes, Morton's pink Himalayan salt is safe for consumption. It is authentic, food-grade rock salt, and the controversy around it pertains to marketing claims about its geographic origin, not its safety.