Eight million Thermos containers are being recalled across the United States after reports of serious injuries, including three people who suffered permanent vision loss when a stopper ejected violently and struck them in the eye.
The recall, announced on Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), covers approximately 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars and 2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles. The affected models are the 16-ounce Stainless King Food Jar (SK3000) and the 24-ounce version (SK3020) – but only those manufactured before July 2023 – as well as all 40-ounce Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles (SK3010), regardless of production date. Consumers can check the model number printed on the bottom of the container to see if their product is included.
How pressure builds and the stopper ejects
The hazard stems from the way the lid interacts with the contents over time. When perishable food or beverages are left inside the container for an extended period, gas can build up, raising the internal pressure. If the user then opens the lid, the stopper – the plug that seals the bottle – can be released with sudden, forceful ejection. Regulators describe the ejected stopper as an impact and laceration hazard, capable of striking the face or body with enough speed to cause serious injury.
Thermos has received 27 reports of stoppers ejecting abruptly when containers were opened and striking users. The incidents caused cuts and injuries serious enough to require medical treatment. In the three most severe cases, the CPSC said, victims sustained permanent vision loss after being struck directly in the eye.
The recalled products were sold in-store and online at major retailers including Target and Walmart, as well as on Amazon and the Thermos website. They were available for purchase between March 2008 and July 2024, retailing for around $30. The Thermos trademark appears on the side of the containers; model numbers are printed on the bottom.
Remedy: what consumers must do
Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled containers immediately. Thermos is offering a free fix, but the process differs by product.
For affected Stainless King Food Jars (models SK3000 and SK3020), customers must discard the original stopper and send a photograph to Thermos showing that it has been thrown away. In return they will receive a free replacement stopper designed to relieve pressure safely. For Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles (model SK3010), consumers must return the entire product using a prepaid shipping label provided by the company; Thermos will then send a replacement bottle.
To initiate a claim, consumers can visit Thermos’s dedicated support website at support.thermos.com, navigate to the “Contact Us” or “Recall Info” sections on Thermos.com, or call the company directly on 662-563-6822 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday to Friday. Thermos estimates that it may take between seven and nine weeks for replacement parts or products to be processed and shipped after all information has been received and verified.
The recalled items were imported by Thermos LLC, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and manufactured in China and Malaysia. In a separate statement, Canadian Thermos Products Inc. has stressed that its own products are not part of the U.S. recall and reaffirmed its commitment to quality and safety, making clear that the recall applies only to the American market.