Millions of Thermos food jars and bottles sold across the United States have been recalled after reports that their stoppers could forcefully eject when opened, causing serious injuries and even permanent vision loss. The recall, announced on April 30 by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, affects about 8.2 million products, including around 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars and 2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles.
According to the agency, the issue involves Thermos Stainless King Food Jars with model numbers SK3000 and SK3020, manufactured before July 2023, along with all Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles with model number SK3010.
Officials said the stopper on the recalled containers does not have a pressure relief feature in the center. If perishable food or beverages are stored inside for an extended period, pressure can build up, causing the stopper to eject forcefully when opened.
The commission warned that this defect can result in “serious impact injury and laceration hazards” for consumers.
So far, Thermos has received 27 reports of consumers being struck by stoppers that forcefully popped out during opening. Several of those cases involved impact and laceration injuries that required medical attention.
Most seriously, three consumers suffered permanent vision loss after being hit in the eye by the stopper.
The recalled products were sold in multiple colors and sizes, including the 16-ounce Stainless King Food Jar (SK3000), the 24-ounce Stainless King Food Jar (SK3020), and the 40-ounce Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle (SK3010).
They were sold at major retailers including Target and Walmart and online platforms such as Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, and Thermos.com between March 2008 and July 2024. Prices were around $30.
Consumers are being urged to stop using the recalled containers immediately and contact Thermos for a free replacement.
For the recalled SK3000 and SK3020 Food Jars, customers must dispose of the stopper and send Thermos a photo of the discarded part to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper.
For the recalled SK3010 Bottles, consumers will need to return the bottle using a prepaid shipping label provided by Thermos, after which they will receive a replacement bottle.
The products were imported by Thermos L.L.C. of Schaumburg, Illinois, and were manufactured in China and Malaysia. Consumers can contact Thermos through its official website or by phone for recall support under recall number 26-444.
Thermos recall: Which products are included
According to the agency, the issue involves Thermos Stainless King Food Jars with model numbers SK3000 and SK3020, manufactured before July 2023, along with all Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles with model number SK3010.
Officials said the stopper on the recalled containers does not have a pressure relief feature in the center. If perishable food or beverages are stored inside for an extended period, pressure can build up, causing the stopper to eject forcefully when opened.
The commission warned that this defect can result in “serious impact injury and laceration hazards” for consumers.
Thermos recalls affected bottle caps. (Image courtesy: thermos.com)
Three cases of permanent vision loss
So far, Thermos has received 27 reports of consumers being struck by stoppers that forcefully popped out during opening. Several of those cases involved impact and laceration injuries that required medical attention.
Most seriously, three consumers suffered permanent vision loss after being hit in the eye by the stopper.
The recalled products were sold in multiple colors and sizes, including the 16-ounce Stainless King Food Jar (SK3000), the 24-ounce Stainless King Food Jar (SK3020), and the 40-ounce Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle (SK3010).
They were sold at major retailers including Target and Walmart and online platforms such as Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, and Thermos.com between March 2008 and July 2024. Prices were around $30.
What consumers should do
Consumers are being urged to stop using the recalled containers immediately and contact Thermos for a free replacement.
For the recalled SK3000 and SK3020 Food Jars, customers must dispose of the stopper and send Thermos a photo of the discarded part to receive a free replacement pressure relief stopper.
For the recalled SK3010 Bottles, consumers will need to return the bottle using a prepaid shipping label provided by Thermos, after which they will receive a replacement bottle.
The products were imported by Thermos L.L.C. of Schaumburg, Illinois, and were manufactured in China and Malaysia. Consumers can contact Thermos through its official website or by phone for recall support under recall number 26-444.
