Walmart Issues Major Recall of 850,000 Water Bottles Following Vision-Loss Injuries
Walmart has issued a nationwide recall of approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail stainless steel water bottles after at least three people were injured — two suffering permanent vision loss — due to lids that can forcefully eject from the bottle and strike users in the face.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on July 10, 2025, warning that the 64 oz insulated bottles pose “serious impact and laceration hazards.”
What’s the Danger?
The bottles — sold exclusively at Walmart stores and online since 2017 — are hazardous when food, carbonated beverages, or perishable liquids like juice or milk are stored in them over time. The contents can create internal pressure, and when the screwcap lid is opened, it may eject unexpectedly and violently.
⚠️ Injury Reports:
- 3 reported incidents
- 2 cases resulted in permanent vision loss
- All involved consumers being struck in the eye or face by the bottle lid
Product Details
- Name: Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle
- Model Number: 83-662 (on packaging only — not on the bottle itself)
- Design:
- Silver stainless steel base
- Black one-piece screwcap lid
- Ozark Trail logo on the side
- Size: 4.41 x 4.41 x 11.5 inches
- Retail Price: Approx. $15
- Sold: Exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com
- Importer: Olympia Tools International Inc. & Walmart Inc.
- Manufactured in: China
What Should You Do?
✅ Stop using the bottle immediately.
✅ Do NOT open if it contains any liquids that could be under pressure.
✅ Request a full refund in one of two ways:
- In-store return: Bring the bottle to any Walmart location.
- Online help: Visit walmart.com/help or corporate.walmart.com/recalls
- Customer Support: Call 1-800-925-6278 (7 a.m. – 9 p.m. CT, daily)
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a manufacturing flaw — it’s a public safety emergency. Permanent eye damage from a reusable water bottle highlights a gap in product testing and consumer risk awareness, especially for a widely available, everyday item.
The incident underscores the importance of:
- Monitoring pressure buildup in insulated containers
- Improving warning labels and usage instructions
- Holding manufacturers accountable for design flaws
Final Note: A Reminder for All Reusable Bottle Owners
If you use insulated bottles for anything beyond water — especially juice, milk, or carbonated drinks — be cautious. Even well-sealed bottles can create unexpected pressure. This recall is a wake-up call for both consumers and manufacturers to treat these seemingly simple products with greater care.
🛑 Do you own one of these bottles?
Check your packaging or purchase history and stop use immediately. Share this alert to help others avoid injury.
