December 12, 2024
Burn Hazard Prompts Recall of 2.6 Million Stanley Tumblers
Nearly 40 people have reported burn injuries as a result of the travel mugs’ lids detaching during use, according to authorities.
Key Takeaways
• Recalled: Stanley, in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, recalled 2.6 million tumblers due to a burn hazard from detachable lids.
• People Hurt: There were 38 burn injuries reported worldwide, with 11 people requiring medical attention.
• Promo Threat? The products appear to have sold primarily at retail, with a reportedly limited number of the styles circulating in promo.
UPDATE Thursday Dec. 19, 2025, Noon Eastern
Counselor Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA, asi/66887) shared with ASI Media on Dec. 19 that a review of its past offerings shows that the firm carried Stanley tumblers named in this recall. PCNA offered the 16oz Trigger Action Travel Mug (1603-09) and the 20oz Trigger Action Travel Mug (1603-10) between September 2023 and May 2024. The firm no longer carries these items. “Customer safety is always our top priority,” PCNA told ASI Media. “In response to this recall, PCNA is taking proactive steps to notify all customers who purchased these items from us.”
Stanley, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled about 2.6 million of its Switchback and Trigger Action travel tumblers after 38 burn injuries were reported worldwide in connection with the drinkware.
Issued Dec. 12, the recall said that the mugs’ lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and torque, causing the lid to detach during use. That poses a burn hazard to folks imbibing hot liquids from the mugs.
The CPSC said there have been 91 reports globally, including 16 in the United States, of the mugs’ lids detaching. Of the nearly 40 burn victims, two were in the United States. Worldwide, 11 burnt people required medical attention.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled travel mugs and contact Stanley to receive a free replacement lid, including shipping,” the CPSC said.
Stanley tumblers have proven wildly popular at retail and in the promotional products industry in recent years – so much so that ASI Media named the Stanley Quencher the 2023 Product of the Year.
ASI Media has contacted suppliers that carry Stanley products to see if their stock is affected by the recall. Searches of ESP, ESP+ and supplier websites did not return results for the recalled models.
Brian Porter, chief revenue officer of Counselor Top 40 supplier Starline (asi/89320), told ASI Media that the company does not currently carry the recalled Stanley models, as the drinkware brand has kept those styles primarily in retail channels.
After a review of past offerings, Porter noted on Dec. 13 that Starline did carry certain of the recalled styles in 2022 and 2023 but no longer does. "There were only a small number of orders and we are proactively reaching out to all of these clients, providing Stanley's recall site information with details on how to proceed," said Porter, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the promotional products industry’s most influential people.
Counselor Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA, asi/66887) also carries Stanley.
While the firm originally reported that it did not offer affected styles, a subsequent review showed that the firm carried Stanley tumblers named in this recall. PCNA told ASI Media on Dec. 19 that it offered the 16oz Trigger Action Travel Mug (1603-09) and the 20oz Trigger Action Travel Mug (1603-10) between September 2023 and May 2024.
The firm no longer carries these items. “Customer safety is always our top priority,” PCNA told ASI Media. “In response to this recall, PCNA is taking proactive steps to notify all customers who purchased these items from us.”
Promo pros that sourced the tumblers from Starline or PCNA, or who may have went outside normal industry supply chain channels to purchase them, may want to look into the recall.
According to the CPSC, the recalled products primarily sold online and at Amazon.com, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and other stores nationwide from June 2016 through December 2024 for between $20 and $50, depending on the model.
Authorities noted that Stanley’s parent company, Pacific Market International (PMI), imported the products.
According to the CPSC, the stainless-steel double-walled mugs were sold in a variety of colors, including white, black and green, in the sizes of 12 oz., 16 oz. and 20 oz. All had a polypropylene lid. The Stanley logo appears on the front and bottom of the mug.
The recalled mugs have one of the following product identification numbers printed on the bottom: Switchback 12 oz., 20-01437; Switchback 16 oz., 20-01436, 20-02211; Trigger Action 12 oz., 20-02033, 20-02779, 20-02825; Trigger Action 16 oz., 20-02030, 20-02745, 20-02957; and Trigger Action 20 oz. 20-02034, 20-02746.
To learn more, concerned Stanley tumbler owners have options, including calling toll-free at 866-792-5445 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern Monday through Friday; going online at www.Stanley1913TMrecall.expertinquiry.com; or visiting www.stanley1913.com and clicking on the corresponding link to submit a recall claim or obtain more information.
“At Stanley 1913, we are committed to constant improvement and are focused on creating quality products that are built for life,” the Seattle-based company said in statement.
Stanley’s recall comes as the brand’s parent company PMI fights multiple court battles. PMI and Amazon have sued two independent Amazon sellers, accusing them of working in cahoots to sell counterfeit Stanley drinkware on Amazon’s third-party marketplace.
Meanwhile, PMI is also defending a proposed class-action lawsuit that consumers from several states have brought over concerns about the presence of lead in Stanley tumblers. PMI has filed motions to have the case dismissed, but a judge has not yet issued a ruling.