Thermos LLC has issued an urgent recall for millions of food containers due to exploding lids that could cause permanent vision loss. The Illinois-based company is voluntarily recalling 8.2 million Thermos Stainless King 3000 and 3020 Food Jars, as well as Thermos Sportsman 3010 Food & Beverage Bottles, following reports of consumers being struck by stoppers that eject upon opening.
Why the Recall?
The recalled products lack a pressure relief mechanism in the stopper, which can lead to a buildup of gases and pressure when perishable food or beverages are stored for extended periods. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “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.”
Injuries Reported
Thermos has received 27 reports of injuries related to the exploding lids, including impact and laceration injuries that required medical attention. Three customers suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye. Eye injuries from such incidents can lead to retinal detachment, traumatic glaucoma, corneal scratches, and orbital fractures.
Products Affected
The recall includes:
- 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars (model numbers SK3000 and SK3020) manufactured before July 2023
- 2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles (model number SK3010)
The containers were sold in various colors and sizes: 16-oz (SK3000), 24-oz (SK3020), and 40-oz (SK3010). They were available in stores and online at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Thermos.com from March 2008 to July 2024, priced around $30.
What Consumers Should Do
The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the recalled products immediately. For model SK3000 and SK3020 jars, customers should discard the stopper and send a photo to Thermos for a free replacement pressure relief stopper. For SK3010 bottles, consumers must return the bottle using a prepaid shipping label to receive a replacement bottle.
Thermos apologized for the recall and can be contacted via their website (click “Contact Us” or “Recall Info”) or by phone at 662-563-6822, Monday through Friday, 7am to 3:30pm CT.
