HLC Probiotics
Shipping & Heat Sensitivity Info (last updated 6/01/08)
We suggest that you select 2nd Day Air or Overnight during the summer months or if you live in a hot state (any month). If not, your probiotics or suppositories may arrive 5-7 days later and may be warm or hot to the touch. We cannot replace or refund warm/hot packages. During the summer (June-Sep), we automatically do not ship out probiotics or other heat sensitive orders placed after 1pm EST on Tuesday will ship the following Monday. We will only ship orders placed on Wednesday or Thursdays if 2nd day or Overnight shipping is requested AND the package can be delivered in the same week. We do not ship heat sensitive orders on Fridays at all, any time of the year. (unless you request otherwise in "Order Comments" and providing that you do not mind that your package will be held in the shippers non-airconditioned warehouse during the weekend). We want to minimize the amount of time your probiotics are in transit. Yet, the manufacturer has increased stability with new freeze drying technology allowing the probiotics to last over 6 months at room temperature holding their GUARANTEED minimum potency on label.
In addition, at 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit it can be stored 3-4 weeks and still be within label claim. This means if the probiotics arrive very warm or hot to the touch due to UPS truck being hot, your product is still perfectly viable and will meet potency claims on label according to various tests done by manufacturer. Please do not be concerned about heat for the short 2-4 day transit. We have been using these probiotics for years after extensive delays in shipping during summer months, and they are still VERY viable and work incredibly well.
We cannot refund or replace warm/hot packages.
If you live near the West coast, your Pharmax probiotics are shipped from Redmond, WA. If not, from Bedford, NH. If you purchased other brands along with Pharmax (such as Yeast Arrest by Vitanica), your order will come from NH.
If you are still concerned about the heat, and if you do not want your package left without a signature, please include a note in the comments instructing us to require a signature, also provide a shipping address where there will be someone available to sign and/or bring your package in from the sun.
Are HLC probiotics shipped with an ice pack?
Dry ice or ice pack will be included within the box free of charge during the summer months or when shipping to hot states (gel pack may be hot upon arrival since it absorbs heat- this is normal). Yet, ice is ONLY FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND. Pharmax's extensive product shelf life testing shows that after 2 weeks of travel via UPS cross country and back to the testing facility, the potency was still at 100% of label claims. The manufacturer states that ice during transport is optional and not necessary due to their new freeze drying technology and the addition of 50% more probiotic at time of manufacturing than what the label claims. Yet, if temperatures are hot in your area in the summer months, you may want to request an ice pack during checkout for your own peace of mind. If your suppositories or protein bars have melted in transit, please store them in the refrigerator upon opening the package so that the item will firm up.
We cannot refund or replace warm/hot packages.
Pharmax has added in 50% more probiotic than what the label guarantees per bottle. For example, HLC Synbiotic Intensive is guaranteed to have 130 billion L. acidophilus and bifidus per serving, but there are 170 billion present at time of manufacturing and it is kept frozen until shipping.
The manufacturer has increased stability allowing the probiotics to last over 6 months at room temperature holding their GUARANTEED minimum potency on label! At 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit it can be stored 3-4 weeks and still be within label claim.
You will receive your HLC probiotic directly from the manufacturer in about 3-5 days. This product is very fresh and has not been sitting around on our shelves. And, your product will most likely contain 10-50% more than what the label states when you receive it. In addition, it has an infinite shelf life if stored the freezer (or 2 years if kept in the refrigerator).
What is their shelf life?
- Refrigeration is optional if you use the product within 6 months
- Can endure 3-4 weeks of very hot climate during shipping & transit, yet we recommend you have the product shipped via 2nd Day Air if you live in a hot state for your peace of mind.
- Virtually indefinite shelf life if kept frozen
- Full 2 year shelf life if kept refrigerated
- 100% potency (label claims) even after 6 months kept at room temperature!
How do I travel with and store my HLC probiotics?
We highly recommend you take your probiotics with you on all trips and vacations since their potency will last for up to 6 months at room temperature un-refrigerated. But, when possible and if convenient, we recommend you store your probiotics in the freezer or refrigerator, especially if you plan to preserve freshness of your product for months or years.