Walmart is reportedly facing some heat after recalling 850,000 water bottles due to a dangerous defect. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) dropped the bombshell statement on July 10. The message to shoppers was clear: these $15 bottles could cause serious injuries. Apparently, the lids can pop off with force, and two people have already allegedly suffered permanent vision loss.
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Walmart Recalls Close To A Million Water Bottles Over THIS
According to the CPSC, the 64-oz Ozark Trail bottles pose a hazard when used to store food, carbonated drinks, as well as juice or milk for extended periods. The pressure builds up, and the lid can shoot off with force. Walmart has so far reported three incidents in which consumers were hit in the face, according to PEOPLE. Two allegedly lost vision after the lid struck their eyes.
Meanwhile, the CPSC is urging Walmart shoppers to stop using these bottles ASAP to avoid becoming the next victim. The recall notice urged shoppers by highlighting “laceration hazards” that could cause further injuries to others. These bottles were sold in stores and online, so they’re likely in many households.
Walmart Issues Statement Amid Recall Announcement
Walmart has acted swiftly to address the issue. Molly Blakeman from Enterprise Communications at the company released a statement emphasizing that “the health and safety of customers” is their top priority, per the aforementioned publication. They’ve teamed up with the CPSC and the bottle’s manufacturer to pull the product from shelves. Additionally, Walmart is urging customers to stop using the bottles immediately. They can then return them to any Walmart store for a full refund, no questions asked.
“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,” Blakeman said.
Walmart Had Another Recall In June
The recall of these water bottles comes weeks after Walmart and Kroger were both forced to recall pre-made Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meals, per CBS News.
FreshRealm, a supplier for retailers, was forced to remove its products from both stores’ shelves due to reported potential listeria contamination. The voluntary recall, issued by FreshReal, covers all chicken Alfredo dishes produced before June 17, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The move comes “out of an abundance of caution” to protect consumers from the harmful bacteria, which can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable groups like pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
