Millions of Thermos Food Containers Recalled After Exploding Lids Cause Permanent Vision Loss
Illinois-based Thermos LLC has issued an urgent, massive recall of 8.2 million popular food and beverage containers. The voluntary recall was triggered after dozens of reports revealed that the lids can forcefully eject like projectiles when opened, causing severe impact injuries, lacerations, and in tragic cases, permanent blindness.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the defect lies in the product’s stopper, which lacks a central pressure-relief mechanism. When perishable food or beverages are stored inside the container for extended periods, they begin to break down and release gases. Without a relief valve, this creates a dangerous build-up of internal pressure, causing the stopper to explode outward the moment the user attempts to open it.
The Human Toll: Severe Eye Injuries
Thermos has received 27 official reports of consumers suffering injuries from the ejecting lids, many of which required immediate medical attention for lacerations and bruising. Devastatingly, three customers have suffered permanent vision loss after the stoppers struck them directly in the eye.
Direct blunt-force impact to the eye can cause catastrophic damage, including orbital fractures, scratched corneas, traumatic glaucoma, and retinal detachment—a severe condition where the light-sensitive retina pulls away from the back of the eye, leading to irreversible blindness if not treated surgically right away.
Pictured above are front images of the recalled products
Which Thermos Products Are Recalled?
The recall impacts items sold nationwide at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Thermos.com between March 2008 and July 2024 (retailing for approximately $30).
Consumers should immediately check the bottom of their containers for the following model numbers:
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Thermos Stainless King Food Jars (5.8 million units recalled)
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Model SK3000 (16-oz)
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Model SK3020 (24-oz)
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Note: Only Stainless King jars manufactured before July 2023 are included.
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Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles (2.3 million units recalled)
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Model SK3010 (40-oz)
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Note: All Sportsman bottles with this model number are recalled.
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What Consumers Should Do Immediately
If you own one of the recalled models, stop using it immediately to prevent injury. Do not attempt to open a sealed jar that has contained food or liquid for an extended period.
Thermos is offering free replacements, but the process depends on which product you own:
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For Stainless King Jars (SK3000 & SK3020): Consumers must contact Thermos to receive a free, redesigned replacement stopper featuring the necessary pressure relief. You will be instructed to throw away the defective stopper and email a photo of the disposed part to the company.
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For Sportsman Bottles (SK3010): Consumers will receive an entirely new replacement bottle. You will be provided with a prepaid shipping label to return the defective bottle to Thermos.
How to Contact Thermos:
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Online: Visit Thermos.com and navigate to the “Contact Us” or “Recall Info” pages.
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By Phone: Call the Thermos recall hotline at 662-563-6822 (Available 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday).
