Stanley thermos bottles

CPSC Recall #05-275 — September 20, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-275
Recall DateSeptember 20, 2005
Remedy Type
Units AffectedAbout 45,000
ManufacturerPMI, of Seattle, Wash.
Manufactured InKorea and China

Where It Was Sold

Wal-Mart
Kmart
Target and other discount department stores nationwide from October 2002 through February 2003 for about $25.

Product

Stanley thermos bottles

Description

The recall involves the brushed stainless steel and the green 1-liter and 2-quart bottles, and the 24-oz. wide mouth food jar. The recalled thermos bottles have only two spot welds per handle bracket and contain any of the following date code numbers:C 02, D 02, or A 03.The date code is located on the bottom of the bottles just above the "S" and "Y" on the word "STANLEY."

Hazard

The handle on the thermos bottles can break, causing the vacuum seal to fail and release organic, non-toxic charcoal powder insulation into the air. This can cause consumers to suffer short-term vision problems and temporary breathing problems when they inhale the powder.

Incidents & Injuries

PMI has received 654 reports of handles breaking and non-toxic charcoal powder insulation releasing into the air. The firm has received 23 reports of consumers who had difficulty breathing or seeing, and in some cases, began vomiting and coughing. More than 60 of the incidents occurred in trucks or cars creating the potential for impaired vision. There have been 446 reports of property damage.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact PMI for a free replacement thermos bottle. PMI will provide all shipping charges for returned bottles.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (refund, replacement, or repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.