Walmart Pulls Water Bottles Linked to Vision Loss

Lid Ejection Hazard Prompts Broad Recall

A startling safety concern has emerged surrounding Ozark Trail stainless steel water bottles, with a recall issued after reports of lids ejecting with enough force to cause serious injury, including permanent vision loss.

Lids Erupting with Force

Walmart has removed approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz stainless steel insulated water bottles from its shelves. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on July 10, highlighting a dangerous defect: the bottle’s lid can erupt off. This risk intensifies when the bottle is used to store carbonated, fermented, or other perishable items for extended periods.

The CPSC’s press release detailed that the ejection of the lid poses a “laceration hazard.” Consumers have reported being struck in the face by the projectile lid, with two individuals experiencing permanent vision impairment. Three such incidents have been documented.

“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. Walmart has fully cooperated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the manufacturer of the impacted product to remove it from our stores and notify consumers of the recall.”

—Molly Blakeman, Group Director, Enterprise Communications at Walmart

Identifying the Recalled Bottles

The recalled bottles bear the model number 83-662. However, this number is not printed on the product itself. Consumers can identify the potentially hazardous bottles by checking for the embedded Ozark Trail logo.

The hazard stems from pressure buildup, similar to how carbonated beverages in less robust containers can cause lids to pop off. This phenomenon can occur with items like kombucha, wine, sourdough starters, and kimchi due to fermentation processes. According to the USDA, proper food storage is crucial to prevent spoilage and maintain food safety, with pressure buildup being a sign of potential issues in sealed containers (USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service).

Consumer Action Advised

Walmart is urging customers who possess these bottles to cease using them immediately. A full refund is available upon return of the product to any Walmart store. The company’s statement emphasized its commitment to customer safety and its cooperation with regulatory bodies and manufacturers to address the issue.