October 16, 2026 – A consumer reported a violent pressure release incident involving a ThermoFlask 20 oz / 591 mL insulated food jar, resulting in the forceful expulsion of hot soup and widespread mess. The incident occurred as the user attempted to open the tightly sealed container, raising significant safety concerns about potential injury from unexpected pressure buildup.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On September 21, 2026, a consumer utilized a ThermoFlask 20 oz / 591 mL insulated food jar to transport homemade chicken tortellini soup. The soup, freshly prepared and hot, was placed into the container at approximately 5:00 a.m. for a husband’s lunch. At around 11:00 a.m., the husband opened the jar, consumed some of the soup, and then re-secured the lid with the remaining contents. The container successfully kept the soup warm throughout the day, without any additional heating.
Later that evening, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the consumer attempted to open the food jar for cleaning. The lid was unusually tight and could not be loosened by one person. With assistance, as the consumer and her husband tried to open the jar, the container experienced a sudden and violent pressure release. The event was described as producing a “gunshot-like sound.” The lid and its sealing components forcefully separated, and the liquid soup and solid food contents were expelled from the container with considerable force. The contents struck the husband, splattering across his clothing, the bed, sheets, and surrounding textiles, causing substantial staining and debris over a wide area. The consumer emphasized that this was not a minor spill but a forceful expulsion. The food jar was being used for its ordinary intended purpose: storing and transporting hot food. The soup contained common ingredients and no known pressure-generating substances like carbonated beverages, dry ice, or yeast. The food was never reheated while inside the container.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several significant safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary hazard is the potential for serious injury from the sudden, forceful expulsion of hot contents. If a person’s face or eyes were positioned over the container during the pressure release, severe burns, eye damage, or other impact injuries could occur. The “gunshot-like sound” also suggests a potentially dangerous concussive force. The potential for severe burns would be significantly higher if the contents were at their initial, very hot temperature.
- Long-term Risks: The unexpected nature of this pressure release, particularly when the product was used for its intended purpose and without additional heating, makes it a latent hazard. Consumers have no way of knowing when such an event might occur, posing an ongoing, unpredictable risk. The incident suggests a potential flaw in the product’s design or manufacturing that allows for dangerous pressure buildup and sudden release, even with non-carbonated contents.
- Who Might Be Affected: Any consumer using a ThermoFlask insulated food jar for its intended purpose could be affected. This risk is amplified if the contents are hotter, or if a person’s face or eyes are positioned over the container during opening.
- Property Damage Potential: As evidenced by the extensive mess across clothing, bedding, and surrounding areas, these incidents can cause significant property damage, requiring extensive cleaning or replacement of soiled items.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own ThermoFlask insulated food jars, particularly the 20 oz / 591 mL model, should take the following precautions:
- Exercise Caution When Opening: Always open insulated food containers away from your face and body. If a lid feels unusually tight, do not force it.
- Avoid Overfilling: While not explicitly stated as a cause here, avoiding overfilling containers can sometimes help prevent pressure buildup.
- Cool Hot Foods Slightly: Consider allowing extremely hot foods to cool for a few minutes before sealing them in an insulated container to reduce initial pressure. However, this incident occurred with soup that had been sealed for hours.
- Check for Damage: Regularly inspect your food jars for any signs of damage, cracks, or wear on the lid or sealing components that could affect their integrity.
- Report Incidents: If you experience a similar incident or any malfunction with a ThermoFlask product, immediately stop using it and report the incident to the manufacturer and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
The manufacturer, Takeya USA Corporation, has been notified of this incident and has acknowledged receipt of the report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.