Thermos Recalls 8.2 Million Food Jars and Bottles After Stoppers Eject and Cause Permanent Vision Loss

If you own a Thermos Stainless King food jar or beverage bottle, check it today. The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of approximately 8.2 million units on April 30, 2026, after the product’s stopper was found to eject with dangerous force — injuring 27 people, three of whom suffered permanent vision loss.

The recall covers products sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and other major retailers from 2008 through 2024.

What’s Wrong With These Products

The affected food jars and bottles use a stopper design that does not have a pressure-relief valve — a small opening in the center that allows built-up internal pressure to escape safely. Without it, pressure can build inside the container, particularly when food or liquid has been stored for an extended period. When the stopper is opened or removed, it can shoot off with significant force.

The CPSC received 27 confirmed reports of stopper ejections. Three people who were struck in the eye lost their vision permanently.

Which Products Are Recalled

Three specific models are included in the recall:

• Thermos Stainless King Food Jar — Model SK3000 (16 oz): All units manufactured before July 2023.
• Thermos Stainless King Food Jar — Model SK3020 (24 oz): All units manufactured before July 2023.
• Thermos Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottle — Model SK3010 (40 oz): All units.

How to identify affected products: Look at the stopper on your container. If there is no small hole or opening in the center of the stopper, your product is part of the recall. Products manufactured after July 2023 have a new stopper design with a pressure-relief valve already in place.

What Thermos Is Offering

The recall remedy is a free replacement — not a cash refund.

SK3000 and SK3020 owners: Dispose of the stopper (do not use it), photograph the disposed stopper, and submit the photo at thermos.com or by calling 662-563-6822 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. CT). Thermos will send you a replacement stopper with the pressure-relief valve design.

SK3010 owners: Request a prepaid shipping label through thermos.com or by phone. Return the full bottle, and Thermos will send you the newer SK3030 model as a replacement.

If You Were Injured

The recall replacement process addresses the product defect going forward — but it does not compensate people who were already hurt. If you or someone in your family was physically injured by a stopper ejecting from one of these containers, that is a separate matter from the recall remedy Thermos is offering.

How to Act Now

Whether or not you were injured, if you own one of the affected models, the immediate step is to stop using the product and request your free replacement. Instructions are at thermos.com or by calling 662-563-6822.

If you were hurt, the form on this page is the right next step.

Common Questions