March 21st, 2010 
My Health 
I recently got some kefir grains, but when I got home after transporting them, I realized that the jar they were in was laying on its side. This means they were most likely touching the metal lid for at least 2 hours, since it was a long drive home.
The jar was a small jar, like a pickle or jam jar. The lid is made of some kind of metal, I’m not sure what kind though. Someone said those jars have a small coating of plastic or something, so it’s not exposed metal, but I’m not sure about that. I really don’t want to be ingesting metal via the kefir, but I also don’t want to waste the kefir grains.
Is what happened likely a problem?
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That someone is right… that’s the reason the vinegar in the pickle jar doesn’t erode the lid and make it rust while it’s on the shelf.
As long as it was sealed tight, there is nothing to worry about.
Besides all that, even if it was in a metal container for 2 hours, you wouldn’t be ingesting that metal by eating the Kefir because it doesn’t break down metal that quickly. I hope I helped!
I’ve had kefir cultures for a long time. It should be fine, most lids have a coating anyway. If you are really worried about the metal, just dispose of the kefir liquid when you make a new batch and put the grains in fresh milk.