Walmart recalls 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz water bottles after lid ejection injuries cause vision loss. Learn safety risks, refund steps & full details.
Walmart has announced a massive recall of approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz stainless steel insulated water bottles following multiple consumer injury reports, including two cases of permanent vision loss. The recall comes after serious safety concerns surfaced over the bottle’s black screw-on lid, which can eject with dangerous force under certain conditions.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the bottles can pose impact and laceration hazards when food or perishable beverages such as milk or juice, or carbonated drinks, are stored in them for extended periods. The internal gas pressure buildup can cause the lid to explode off when twisted open — essentially turning it into a flying projectile.
What Happened: Three Customers Injured, Two Suffered Vision Loss
While these bottles have been sold widely since 2017 through Walmart retail stores and its online platform, it wasn’t until recently that the risk became glaringly apparent. Walmart received three official reports of customers being injured by the bottles. In two alarming incidents, victims were hit in the eyes by the violently ejected lids and suffered permanent vision loss, prompting regulatory scrutiny and a nationwide recall.
If you own one of these bottles, stop using it immediately.
Product Details: How to Identify the Recalled Bottles
The recalled product is specifically the Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle with model number 83-662. The model number itself is not printed on the bottle, but it can be found on the original packaging.
Here are some identifying features:
- Color & Material: Silver stainless steel body
- Lid Design: Black, one-piece screw-on lid
- Brand Logo: Ozark Trail logo is displayed on the bottle
- Size: 64 ounces
- Sold Since: 2017
- Retail Price: Approximately $15
- Manufactured In: China
- Imported By: Olympia Tools International Inc., Covina, California
- Distributed By: Walmart, USA
If this description matches your water bottle, it is part of the recall and should not be used.
Why This Bottle Becomes Dangerous
At first glance, the Ozark Trail water bottle seems like a practical and durable choice for hydration. Made with stainless steel and double-wall insulation, it keeps beverages cold or hot for extended periods. However, it lacks a pressure release mechanism, making it unsuitable for storing fermentable or carbonated drinks.
The Science Behind the Danger
When consumers store perishable liquids like milk, juice, or carbonated drinks inside an airtight container — especially at warm temperatures — microbial activity or carbonation leads to gas buildup inside the bottle. Without any way to release this pressure, opening the lid becomes a trigger for the built-up pressure to unleash forcefully.
This is what reportedly caused the lids to “explode” off the bottles in the recent injury cases, with the force strong enough to cause facial injuries and eye trauma.
Consumer Safety Commission’s Advisory
In its statement released Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“The lid can eject forcefully when a consumer attempts to open the bottle after food, carbonated beverages, or perishable liquids have been stored for a period of time. This poses impact and laceration hazards.”
While the agency did not specify exactly how long is “too long” to store such liquids, it urged immediate discontinuation of use for affected products.
Walmart’s Response to the Recall
In a public statement released Friday, Walmart acknowledged the risks associated with the product and stated:
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. Walmart has fully cooperated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the product’s manufacturer to remove the item from our stores and notify customers about the recall.”
#Recall: Walmart voluntarily recalls certain Ozark Trail 64 oz. water bottles due to impact and laceration hazards; receive refund. Visit https://t.co/p448kRS7eL to learn more.
— Walmart (@Walmart) July 10, 2025
The company emphasized that it is committed to customer well-being and has provided multiple channels for returns and refunds.
What Should Consumers Do Now?
If you own the Ozark Trail 64 oz water bottle:
- Stop using it immediately, especially if you’ve used it to store perishable or fizzy drinks.
- Do not attempt to open it if you suspect pressure buildup inside.
- Return it to any Walmart location for a full refund.
- You can also contact Walmart customer service directly for further instructions.
Stainless Steel Bottles and Safety
This recall serves as a cautionary tale about the use of stainless steel vacuum-insulated containers for storing liquids they were not designed to hold.
Why Stainless Steel Bottles Pose Greater Risk in Certain Situations
- Airtight Seal: These bottles often come with tight lids, designed to preserve temperature but not to vent gas.
- Material Strength: Unlike flexible plastic bottles that may bulge or leak when internal pressure builds, stainless steel containers do not give any warning signs.
- Hidden Danger: Users may not realize fermentation or carbonation has built pressure until they twist the lid — at which point, it may be too late.
Consumers often use reusable water bottles for more than just water. They store smoothies, carbonated drinks, iced coffee with milk, protein shakes, and juices. But this practice, combined with time and warmth, can turn a convenient bottle into a dangerous pressure chamber.
Public Reaction and Consumer Awareness
News of the recall has been met with shock and concern, especially on social media where users shared personal experiences and urged others to check their bottles. Some expressed frustration that the product has been on the market for more than seven years before such severe risks were addressed publicly.
Consumer safety advocates are now calling for:
- Improved warning labels on reusable bottles
- Design changes to include pressure-release features
- Stricter guidelines on the kinds of liquids suitable for insulated containers
What the Manufacturer Must Address Moving Forward
The bottles in question were imported by Olympia Tools International, a California-based company with manufacturing ties to China. As this is a design flaw rather than a one-time manufacturing defect, there will likely be pressure on the manufacturer to redesign future models with built-in safety mechanisms.
Regulators and consumers alike are also likely to push for transparency in product testing, particularly regarding pressure resilience and risk under varied storage conditions.
Don’t Take Water Bottle Safety for Granted
Reusable water bottles have become everyday essentials. But as this case shows, not all bottles are created equal, and using them beyond their intended purpose can be dangerous.
This incident involving Walmart’s Ozark Trail bottles should prompt greater awareness among consumers to:
- Read product labels carefully
- Avoid storing perishable or fizzy beverages in tightly sealed, rigid containers
- Pay attention to unusual smells, bulges, or resistance when opening bottles
✅ If you have this bottle, return it now — it could save your eyesight.
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