Thermos Recalls More Than 8 Million Bottles After Defect Permanently Blinded Drinkers

Thermos Recalls Over 7 Million Food Containers Due to Safety Concerns

The popular brand Thermos has issued a substantial recall affecting more than seven million food containers, following a warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on 30 April. This serious decision comes in light of multiple consumer reports of incidents involving severe injuries.

The recall specifically targets the Thermos Stainless King models 3000 and 3020 Food Jars and the Thermos Sportsman model 3010 Food & Beverage Bottles. These products have been linked to 27 reports where consumers were struck by stoppers that forcefully ejected when the containers were opened, leading to cases of impact and laceration injuries that required medical attention. In some alarming instances, individuals have reported suffering permanent vision loss due to being hit in the eye by the ejected stoppers.

The CPSC has outlined potential hazards associated with the recalled products, stating, “If perishable food or beverages are stored in the container for an extended period of time, the stopper can forcefully eject when opened, resulting in serious impact injury and laceration hazards to the consumer.” This discovery has raised significant concerns about the safety of these everyday items, which are widely used across households.

In total, approximately 5.8 million units of the Stainless King Food Jars and about 2.3 million units of the Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles manufactured before July 2023 are included in the recall. The majority of these products were made in China and Malaysia and have been available for purchase in major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon, as well as through Thermos’s own website, from March 2008 to July 2024. The retail price for these items typically hovers around £30.

The specific model numbers linked to this recall are SK3000 and SK3020 for the Stainless King Food Jars, and SK3010 for the Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles. These containers were sold in various colours and sizes, including 16-ounce, 24-ounce, and 40-ounce options.

The recall initiative stems from the fact that the stoppers of these containers lack a central pressure relief feature, which could mitigate the risk of sudden ejection under specific conditions. Consumers who possess these containers are strongly advised to stop using them immediately, in light of the potential risks associated with their use.

In response to the situation, Thermos has promised corrective measures, inviting affected customers to contact them to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper or a replacement bottle, depending on the model owned. This initiative is aimed at ensuring consumer safety and restoring confidence in the brand.

Consumers are encouraged to check the bottom of their containers for model identification, as this will enable them to quickly determine if their product is part of the recall. The Thermos brand’s logo can also be found on the side of each product, assisting in identification.

As the recall unfolds, the CPSC continues to emphasise the importance of consumer awareness regarding product safety. Those who have experienced injuries related to the recalled products are urged to report these incidents to the CPSC in order to contribute to the ongoing investigation.

This incident highlights the importance of remaining vigilant about the safety of commonly used household items. With Thermos containers being a staple for many families, the company’s proactive approach in addressing these concerns seeks to provide assurance to consumers while also minimising the risk of future incidents.