8.2M containers sold at Target, Walmart and more are recalled due to risk of serious injury

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An innovative product designed to retain heat has unfortunately led to severe consequences for some individuals.

Thermos made the decision to recall over 8 million of its Stainless King Food Jars and Bottles after reports surfaced of 27 customers experiencing injuries from stoppers being forcefully ejected from the product. Shockingly, three individuals suffered “permanent vision loss” as a result of these incidents, as reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Thermos recalled over 8 million products due to safety hazards that left three people with vision loss.

The recall, initiated on April 30, includes three models: the Stainless King Food Jar, 40-ounce Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle, and 24-ounce Stainless King Food Jar. These items were widely available at major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon, as well as through the company’s website, over the span of several years.

The root cause of the issue lies in stoppers lacking a pressure-release mechanism. When perishable food or drinks are stored for prolonged periods, gas can accumulate inside the sealed container. In the absence of a safe method to release this pressure, the stopper can forcefully eject upon opening, posing a significant risk of impact and lacerations.

Essentially, this flaw is a result of a design oversight interacting with a natural process. Fermentation of any food leads to gas buildup and pressure, which in this scenario, caused the lid to be forcefully expelled.

However, the danger extends beyond visibly spoiled food; even seemingly normal perishables can ferment if left unrefrigerated for an extended duration, particularly in sealed environments. It’s akin to a champagne cork popping off. This defect is less about extreme misuse and more about a crucial safety feature missing from the product.

Comparison of a recalled Thermos lid (left, completely black top) and a not-recalled lid (right, with a silver vent on top). — The recall was a perfect storm of a design flaw meeting biology. CPSC

Thermos has advised customers to discontinue use of the affected product immediately and reach out to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper or a new product based on the model. Customers are instructed to retain their recalled stopper until their claim is approved, and depending on availability, replacement shipment may take seven to nine weeks from the verification and processing date by Thermos.

Online responses to the recall were varied, with some attributing misuse of the product to the incidents.

“Even the recall notice clearly states that this occurs when food is left for an extended period. That’s not the intended use of a thermos. I fail to understand why companies issue recalls when users misuse the product,” remarked a user on Reddit.

“Natural selection seems to be at play with our leftovers in the long run,” another Reddit user humorously commented.

Some individuals even questioned the general intelligence level of users.

“People stored food until it decomposed and built up gas, then opened the lid while looking directly at it. There’s no risk if your IQ is above room temperature,” quipped a user on X.