Thermos Food Jars and Beverage Bottles Recalled After Three Incidents of Vision Loss Due to Stopper Ejection

Approximately 5.8 million Thermos Stainless King Food Jars and 2.3 million Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles are being recalled, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall stems from a hazard where the stopper can forcefully eject when the container is opened after storing perishable food or beverages for an extended period. This ejection poses a significant risk of serious impact injury and lacerations to consumers.

The affected products include Thermos Stainless King Food Jars with model numbers SK3000 and SK3020, manufactured before July 2023, and all Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles with model number SK3010. A key identifying feature of the recalled items is that their stoppers lack a pressure relief mechanism in the center. These containers were available in various colors and sizes, including 16-ounce (SK3000), 24-ounce (SK3020), and 40-ounce (SK3010) capacities. The Thermos trademark is visible on the side of the products, and the model numbers are located on the bottom of the containers. These products were sold nationwide at retailers such as Target and Walmart, as well as online through Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, and Thermos.com, with prices around $30. The recall covers items purchased from approximately March 2008 to July 2024.

Thermos has received 27 reports detailing instances where the stopper forcibly ejected upon opening. These incidents have resulted in consumers being struck, with some requiring medical attention for impact and laceration injuries. Alarmingly, three consumers have suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye by the ejected stopper.

Consumers who own these recalled food jars and bottles are urged to stop using them immediately. To address the hazard, Thermos is offering free replacement pressure relief stoppers for the food jars (SK3000 and SK3020). For these food jars, consumers will be instructed to dispose of the original stopper and provide photographic proof of its disposal to Thermos. For the recalled Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles (SK3010), Thermos will provide a prepaid shipping label for consumers to return the entire bottle for a replacement. Further details and instructions can be found by contacting Thermos online at https://support.thermos.com or by navigating to the “Contact Us” or “Recall Info” sections on their website, Thermos.com. The company can also be reached by phone at 662-563-6822, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central Time.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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