Thermos has recalled about 8.2 million bottles and food jars in the U.S. after reports that their stoppers can shoot out during opening, causing injuries including permanent vision loss.
The recall affects Thermos Stainless King 16-ounce and 24-ounce food jars, along with Thermos Sportsman 40-ounce food and beverage bottles. The affected model numbers are SK3000, SK3020 and SK3010. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately and contact Thermos for a free replacement pressure-relief stopper or replacement bottle.
The affected items were sold for years at major retailers including Walmart and Target, as well as online through Amazon, Walmart, Target and Thermos. Sales ran from March 2008 through July 2024, meaning many of these products may still be sitting in kitchens, lunch bags, work trucks and school backpacks.
Which Thermos Products Are Included in the Recall?
The recall includes about 5.8 million Stainless King food jars and about 2.3 million Sportsman food and beverage bottles. Consumers should check the model number printed on the product, usually on the bottom of the container.
- SK3000: Thermos Stainless King 16-ounce food jar
- SK3020: Thermos Stainless King 24-ounce food jar
- SK3010: Thermos Sportsman 40-ounce food and beverage bottle
The Stainless King jars involved in the recall were manufactured before July 2023, while the Sportsman bottles with model number SK3010 are also included. If your container matches one of these model numbers, stop using it even if it has never caused a problem before.
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The concern is not cosmetic. Federal safety officials say the stopper can eject with force when the container is opened, especially if pressure builds inside after perishable food or beverages are stored for too long. That sudden release can strike the user’s face, eyes or hands before they have time to react.
Why the Stopper Can Become Dangerous
Insulated containers are designed to hold temperature by creating a tight seal. That is useful for soups, hot drinks, leftovers and packed meals, but it also means pressure can develop inside the container under certain conditions.
In the recalled Thermos models, the stopper may not properly relieve that pressure. When the container is opened, the trapped pressure can force the stopper outward. In reported cases, consumers were struck hard enough to suffer impact injuries and cuts that required medical attention.
The most serious part of the recall is the eye-injury risk. Thermos has received 27 reports of consumers being hit by ejected stoppers, including three cases where people suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye.
That makes this recall more urgent than a routine product warning. A bottle or jar may look normal from the outside, and the risk may only appear when the container is opened after pressure has built up.
For readers who follow household safety alerts, Swikblog regularly covers major consumer warnings and recall updates on Swikblog, especially when everyday products sold by large retailers are involved.
What Owners Should Do Now
If you own one of the affected Thermos products, do not continue using it while waiting for more information. Check the model number first, then contact Thermos through its support process.
For recalled SK3000 and SK3020 food jars, consumers are being asked to throw away the stopper and send Thermos a photo showing it has been disposed of. For recalled SK3010 bottles, consumers are being asked to return the bottle using a prepaid shipping label. Thermos will provide a free replacement pressure-relief stopper or replacement bottle depending on the model.
Consumers can also call Thermos at 662-563-6822 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.
Do not try to repair the stopper yourself, drill holes into it, loosen it, or continue using the product with “extra caution.” The recall exists because the pressure release problem can happen suddenly, and homemade fixes may create a different safety risk.
Why This Recall Is Getting National Attention
The size of the recall is one reason it stands out. More than 8 million units were sold over a long period, so the affected products may be spread across households that bought them years ago and no longer have the original packaging.
The second reason is the severity of the reported injuries. Many recalls involve burn risks, choking hazards or electrical problems, but permanent vision loss makes this case especially serious for consumers who use these containers close to the face while opening them.
The third reason is where the products were sold. Walmart, Target, Amazon and other national retailers gave these Thermos models wide reach, increasing the chance that many buyers may not immediately connect their older bottle or food jar to the latest recall notice.
Anyone who uses insulated food jars for lunch, travel, work sites or school meals should check the model number now. If the product is affected, stopping use and requesting the official replacement is the safest move.
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