850,000 water bottles recalled in the US after reports of eye injuries

Walmart has recalled 850,000 water bottles in the US due to the risk of “serious impact and laceration hazards.”

A statement on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website outlined three reports of consumer injuries after they were struck in the face by the lid of an Ozark Trail 1.8 litre stainless steel insulated water bottle.

“Two consumers suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye,” the commission noted.

The stainless steel bottles are silver with a black one-piece screwcap lid and an Ozark Trail logo embedded on the side of the bottle. The affected model number is 83-662, which appears on the product packaging, but not on the bottle itself.

Describing the hazard posed by the water bottle, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission stated: “The lid can forcefully eject, posing serious impact and laceration hazards, when a consumer attempts to open the capped bottles after food, carbonated beverages or perishable beverages, such as juice or milk, are stored inside over time.”

Consumers who purchased the recalled water bottle have been advised to stop using the water bottle immediately and contact Walmart for a refund.

The water bottles have been sold at Walmart stores and online since 2017. The bottles retail for around $15 (£11.15).