Product review (3 stars): Replacement filter is NOT new.
When I bought my humidifier many years ago - it had a NEW filter in it.  I have not been able to purchase a new filter since then, as they all seem to arrive already coated with lime deposits???  This one was the  least coated so I will keep it as my old filter was getting out of shape due to multiple attempts to clean it.  I have never bought a filter from this company before.
One company that sent me a "used" filter twice, which I returned, said it was a "factory coating".  I'm not that stupid, thanks.