Due to exploding lids that could result in “permanent vision loss,” millions of food containers have been hastily recalled.
8.2 million Thermos Stainless King 3000 and 3020 Food Jars and Thermos Sportsman 3010 Food & Beverage Bottles have been voluntarily recalled by Illinois-based Thermos LLC in response to consumer complaints that a stopper that ejects from the bottle after opening had injured consumers.
This is because the recalled items’ stoppers lack a pressure relief in the middle to prevent ejecting, which can happen when food leftovers are kept for a long time. As a result, pressure and gases build up.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated in its recall notice that “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.”
Thermos received 27 instances of customers being hurt by the bursting lids, including complaints of lacerations and impact injuries that needed medical care. After being struck in the eye, three clients lost their vision permanently.
2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles and 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars are included in the recall.
Between March 2008 and July 2024, they were offered for roughly $30 both in-store and online at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Thermos.com.
Model numbers SK3000 and SK3020 are among the recalled Thermos Stainless King food jars that were produced before to July 2023.
Due to exploding lids that could cause irreversible eyesight loss, popular food containers have been recalled (stock image).
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All Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles bearing model number SK3010 are included in the recall.
The 16-oz, model number SK3000; 24-oz, model number SK3020; and 40-oz, model number SK3010, containers were available in a range of colours.
Recalled goods have model numbers printed on the bottom and the Thermos trademark on the side.
Customers “should stop using the recalled Food Jars and Bottles immediately and contact Thermos to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper or replacement bottle, depending on the model,” according to the CPSC.
“Consumers will be asked to discard the stopper for recalled 3000 and 3020 Food Jars and send a photo of the disposed-of stopper to Thermos,” the agency continued.
Customers will be required to return recalled 3010 bottles to Thermos with a pre-paid shipping label.
Numerous severe and perhaps irreversible injuries, including bruising, corneal scrapes, and orbital fractures, can result from direct trauma to the eye.
Front photos of the recalled goods are seen above.
The lids of both recalled and non-recalled items are seen above. The absence of a pressure relief, which might result in ejecting, is depicted in the left image, whereas the relief is shown in the right image.
Retinal detachment, which happens when the light-sensitive retina separates from the rear of the eye, is another issue.
Retinal detachment, which affects 28,000 Americans annually, necessitates prompt surgery or laser therapy to heal the damage.Permanent eyesight loss may result from not receiving the treatment.
Additionally, an eye injury raises pressure, which may result in traumatic glaucoma.
Surgery, laser therapy, and prescription eye drops can halt the progression of glaucoma, but existing damage is irreversible.
Customers were instructed to cease using the recalled product and get in touch with Thermos for a replacement after the business expressed regret for the recall.
By selecting “Contact Us” or “Recall Info” on the brand’s website, customers can get in touch with Thermos.
Additionally, they can call 662-563-6822 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT.
