Walmart Ozark Trail Water Bottle Recall: Lids Eject Forcefully, Causing Severe Injuries & Vision Loss

A critical consumer safety alert has been issued for approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz. Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles, sold exclusively at Walmart. This widespread recall follows alarming reports of severe injuries stemming from the forceful ejection of the bottle’s lid, highlighting the inherent risks that can emerge even from seemingly innocuous household items and underscoring the paramount importance of stringent product safety protocols within retail supply chains.

• Approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz. Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles recalled.
• Products sold exclusively at Walmart.
• Lids can forcefully eject, posing severe impact and laceration hazards, particularly due to pressure buildup from stored perishables or carbonated beverages.
• Three facial injury reports, two resulting in permanent vision loss.
• Recalled bottles are silver with a black screwcap; model number 83-662 is found only on packaging.

The Peril of Pressure Buildup

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has explicitly identified the core hazard: the bottle’s lid can forcefully eject, creating significant impact and laceration risks. This dangerous phenomenon typically arises when consumers attempt to open bottles that have been capped after perishable foods, carbonated beverages, or other liquids have been stored inside for an extended duration. Such conditions foster an environment where internal pressure can build rapidly, transforming a simple act of opening into a potentially violent expulsion.

Documented Injuries and Profound Consequences

The tangible severity of this design flaw is starkly illustrated by documented incidents. Walmart has received three distinct reports of consumers sustaining facial injuries directly attributable to the forcefully ejected lids. More critically, two of these incidents have led to permanent vision loss for the affected individuals, unequivocally demonstrating the profound and potentially life-altering consequences associated with this product defect. These outcomes underscore the urgent nature of the recall and the severe risks posed to consumers.

Identifying the Recalled Product

Consumers can identify the recalled stainless-steel bottles by their silver finish and a distinctive black one-piece screwcap lid. Each bottle measures approximately 4.41 x 4.41 x 11.5 inches and bears an Ozark Trail logo prominently embedded on its side. Crucially, the definitive identifier, model number 83-662, is located exclusively on the product’s packaging, not on the bottle itself, making packaging retention vital for consumers. These units were manufactured in China and imported into the United States by California-based Olympia Tools International Inc. and Walmart Inc., with Walmart acting as the sole retail distributor.

Broader Implications for Product Safety Oversight

This extensive recall serves as a potent reminder of the continuous and rigorous oversight demanded across global product distribution networks. It re-emphasizes the shared and indivisible responsibility that rests with both manufacturers and retailers to rigorously ensure consumer safety at every stage of a product’s lifecycle. As regulatory bodies like the CPSC continue to actively monitor product safety landscapes, their efforts remain paramount in preventing similar incidents and safeguarding public health against unforeseen hazards.