Retail Giant Walmart Aware of Bottle Danger for Extended Period
Walmart Recalls Ozark Trail Water Bottle After Seven-Year Delay
After a seven-year delay, Walmart has finally recalled the Ozark Trail 64-ounce stainless-steel water bottle due to safety concerns. The product, sold exclusively at Walmart since 2017, has been linked to several injuries, including two cases of partial blindness and severe facial and eye damage.
The recall comes after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requested a formal recall in response to another injury in 2024. Walmart had been aware of the danger since at least 2018, with records from the CPSC and past legal filings showing that the company had knowledge of the issue.
The first known serious injury occurred in 2018, with a woman hit in the eye by an exploding lid. Two more similar cases occurred the same year, causing severe injuries. Despite this knowledge, Walmart only recalled about 850,000 bottles in July 2025.
In 2020, Walmart started placing small warning inserts inside the bottles, advising customers to use them for water only. However, this did not prevent the incidents from happening.
The black screw-on lid of the water bottle has been found to pop off with force, causing injuries. The CPSC has advised that pressure can build inside sealed containers holding anything other than water, particularly carbonated or fermenting liquids, and that in extreme cases, the sudden release can turn a lid into a projectile.
The recall serves as a reminder that everyday products can sometimes pose hidden risks. Walmart is asking anyone who owns one of these bottles to stop using it immediately and return it for a full refund.
The delay between the first reported hazard and the recall has raised questions about how companies decide when to act regarding product safety. The incident has reignited debate about corporate responsibility when it comes to product safety and the effectiveness of warning labels in preventing accidents.
The CPSC has advised consumers not to take chances with the recalled bottles, even if they have not had problems in the past. The agency is working to remove the bottles from shelves.
References:
- Consumer Reports
- CNN
- USA Today
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