Millions Of Stanley Cups Have Been Recalled—Here’s Why

Topline

Millions of stainless steel travel mugs sold by the popular Stanley brand have been recalled as the company reports dozens of burn injuries caused by faulty lids.

Key Facts

Stanley on Thursday issued the recall notice for 2.6 million of their Switchback and Trigger Action stainless steel travel mugs in 12 oz., 16 oz. and 20 oz. sizes.

The company reports an issue with the mugs’ lid threads that causes them to shrink when exposed to heat and then fall off of the cup, posing a burn hazard to those who’ve put hot liquids inside.

The recall was issued after Stanley said it received 91 reports of the detaching lids, resulting in 38 burn injuries worldwide (16 of the reports and two of the injuries came from U.S. customers).

Of the people hurt, 11 required medical attention.

The cups were sold at Amazon, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and other retailers for between $20 and $50 each for more than eight years and the recalled mugs have one of the following product identification numbers printed on the bottom: 20-01437, 20-01436, 20-02211, 20-02033, 20-02779, 20-02825, 20-02030, 20-02745, 20-02957, 20-02034 or 20-02746.

Customers with an impacted product can contact Stanley for a new free lid.

Key Background

The Stanley drinkware company has been around for 111 years, but its products went viral several years ago on TikTok and Instagram, particularly with Gen Z and Millennial women. The viral popularity caused Stanley’s revenue to jump from $73 million in 2019 to $194 million in 2021 and $750 million in 2023, CNBC reported, particularly as demand for its “Quencher” product went through the roof. The Quencher waterbottles, a 40-ounce insulated cup with a handle and straw, sell for between $45 and $55 each and releases of the cup in new colors have started to routinely sell out.

Crucial Quote

“On the days that I do have extra time, I search for the specific [color] that matches my shirt,” content creator and Stanley Quencher collector Chelsea Espejo told CNBC. “I wouldn’t even say Stanleys are something I use. They’re actually part of my personality. If I don’t have it, if I don’t choose the right color, my day kind of doesn’t go how I planned it.”