Thermos recalls 8.2 million bottles after three consumers left permanently blind

Thermos has announced a sweeping recall of more than 8 million units of its popular storage containers following reports of a defect that left three people permanently blind. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the recall on Thursday, 30 April.The Thermos Stainless King 3000 and 3020 Food Jars and Thermos Sportsman 3010 Food & Beverage Bottles are named in the recall. The products were manufactured in China and Malaysia, and sold in the U.S.“If perishable food or beverages are stored in the container for an extended period of time, the stopper can forcefully eject when opened, which can result in serious impact injury and laceration hazards to the consumer,” the CPSC wrote of the hazard that led to the recall.Three people suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye. The company also received 27 reports of consumers who were struck by a stopper that forcefully ejected from these containers upon opening. The injured required medical attention after complaints of impact and laceration injuries.

What are the recalled products?

The recall involves:

“The stopper of the recalled Food Jars and Food & Beverage Bottles does not have a pressure relief in the centre.

The containers were sold in a variety of colours in sizes of 16 oz (model number SK3000), 24 oz (model number SK3020), and 40 oz (model number SK3010). The Thermos trademark is located on the side of the product. The model numbers are printed on the bottom of the recalled containers,” the CPSC said in the recall notice.The recall affects about 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars and about 2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles.The recalled products were sold across major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com and Thermos.com between around March 2008 and July 2024. They were sold for about $30.

What to do if you have the recalled products?

The CPSC said that consumers who have the recalled Food Jars and Bottles should stop using them and contact Thermos to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper or replacement bottle, depending on the model.Consumers are advised to throw away the stopper of recalled 3000 and 3020 Food Jars and send a photo of the disposed stopper to Thermos. Those who have the recalled 3010 bottles can return them to Thermos using a prepaid shipping label.