Why Walmart’s 850,000 recalled stainless steel bottles are more dangerous than plastic soda bottles

Walmart has recalled approximately 850,000 units of its Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles following reports of severe injuries, including permanent vision loss, caused by lids forcefully ejecting when opened.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a public safety alert on Thursday, July 10, urging customers to stop using the bottles and return them for a full refund.

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According to the CPSC, three injuries have been reported so far. Two people suffered permanent eye damage after being hit in the face by a flying cap.

The issue arises when carbonated or perishable beverages like soda, milk, or juice are stored in the bottle. Over time, gases build up inside the tightly sealed container. Unlike a typical soda bottle, these stainless steel bottles lack pressure-relief features, turning them into potential hazards.

How soda bottles safely handle pressure

You may be thinking: “But soda bottles also build pressure. Isn’t that normal?”

Yes, but there's a big difference. Plastic soda bottles are made of flexible PET plastic and are specifically engineered to hold pressurized gas, in fact, up to 100 psi (pounds per square inch).

They also feature threaded caps designed to release pressure as they’re opened gradually. That’s the “hiss” you hear when cracking open a fizzy drink. It’s not just a sound, it’s a safety mechanism.

Moreover, the elasticity of plastic helps absorb internal pressure, preventing sudden explosive force.

Why stainless steel bottles pose a bigger risk

In contrast, Walmart’s Ozark Trail bottles are made of rigid stainless steel and have an airtight screw-on lid, but no built-in mechanism to relieve internal pressure.

These bottles are great at keeping drinks cold or hot, but are not intended to store fermentable or fizzy beverages over long periods.

When perishable liquids ferment inside the sealed container or carbonated drinks are stored for too long, gas pressure accumulates without an escape route.

This pressure can violently force the lid to eject, turning it into a projectile, and that’s exactly what injured multiple users.

What’s being recalled?

The recall covers the Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle, sold at Walmart stores across the US since 2017. The model number is 83-662 (found on the packaging, not the bottle itself). The bottles are silver with a black screw-on lid and display the Ozark Trail logo.