Thermos is voluntarily recalling over 8.2 million vacuum-insulated food jars and beverage bottles after reports that the stopper can forcefully eject when opened, causing serious injuries including permanent vision loss in three consumers.
What happened
The recall, posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website on April 30, covers two product lines: the Stainless King Food Jar (models SK3000 and SK3020) and the Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle (model SK3010). The defect is a missing pressure relief function in the center of the stopper. If perishable food or beverages are stored in the container for an extended period, pressure can build up and cause the stopper to eject violently upon opening.
Thermos received 27 reports of users being struck by a forcefully ejected stopper, including impact and laceration injuries requiring medical attention. Three of those consumers suffered permanent vision loss after being hit in the eye.
Affected products
- Stainless King Food Jar – model SK3000 (16 oz) and SK3020 (24 oz), manufactured before July 2023. Approximately 5.8 million units.
- Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle – model SK3010 (40 oz), all units. Approximately 2.3 million units.
The products were sold at retailers including Target, Walmart, and Amazon, both in stores and online, from roughly March 2008 through July 2024, for around $30.
What to do
Consumers who own a recalled product should stop using it immediately and contact Thermos for a remedy. The process differs by model:
- For SK3000 and SK3020 jars: dispose of the stopper, take a photo of it, and submit a claim at https://support.thermos.com. Thermos will send a replacement stopper.
- For SK3010 bottles: submit a claim online to receive a prepaid shipping label, then return the entire bottle. Thermos will send a replacement product.
Thermos warns that processing and shipment may take 7–9 weeks after all information is received and verified. For further guidance, call 662-563-6822 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. CST.
Bottom line
This is a large-scale recall affecting products sold over a 16-year period. The injury mechanism — pressure buildup causing a stopper to eject — is unusual for vacuum-insulated containers, which typically rely on a simple screw or press-fit seal. If you own any of the listed models, stop using them and file a claim. The 7–9 week wait for a replacement is long, but