February 19, 2026 — A consumer has reported sustaining severe burn injuries after a Reynolds Kitchens® Heavy Duty Medium Roasting Pan allegedly collapsed during removal from the oven, despite being used in accordance with the product’s safety instructions. The incident, involving hot contents spilling, has raised concerns regarding the structural integrity and warnings associated with disposable aluminum roasting pans.
Product Details
Product Identifier: 70485125390
Model Name: Heavy Duty Medium Roasting Pan
Incident Overview
The initial report on January 29, 2026, described injuries sustained from Reynolds cookware. A follow-up correspondence to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 24, 2026, provided further details, outlining a serious incident involving a Reynolds Kitchens® Heavy Duty Medium Roasting Pan.
According to the consumer, the disposable aluminum roasting pan, which contained lasagna, was placed in the oven on a non-disposable cookie sheet. When removing the pan from the oven, it was reportedly fully supported and lifted using the same cookie sheet underneath it, precisely as instructed by the product’s packaging. Despite this adherence to the safety guidance, the roasting pan structurally failed and collapsed, causing its hot contents to spill. This resulted in significant burn injuries to the consumer’s hand and arm.
The consumer explicitly stated that the packaging warning, which reads: “CAUTION: DIRECTIONS FOR USE TO AVOID BURNS. Handle the pan with caution at all times. Lift and support pan with a non-disposable cookie sheet,” was followed precisely. The injury occurred even while complying with the stated safety guidance, leading the consumer to assert that the manufacturer’s claim of improper use is inaccurate.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several critical safety concerns regarding disposable “heavy duty” aluminum roasting pans:
- Structural Integrity: If a product marketed as “heavy duty” can collapse while fully supported as per instructions, it raises questions about its inherent structural integrity, especially when used with heavy food items like lasagna.
- Adequacy of Warnings: The incident suggests that the current warning label, which advises support with a cookie sheet, may not adequately mitigate the risk of collapse if the pan itself can fail despite proper support. Consumers reasonably rely on such labeling to prevent injury.
- Immediate Dangers: The immediate danger is the potential for severe thermal burns from spilled hot food or liquids. These injuries can range from superficial to full-thickness burns.
- Long-Term Risks: Such burns can require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, and potentially lead to long-term scarring, pain, and limited mobility.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone using disposable aluminum roasting pans, especially for heavier items like roasts, casseroles, or lasagnas, could be at similar risk if the product’s design or material is insufficient to prevent collapse, even with external support.
- Property Damage Potential: While not explicitly detailed in this report, the spilling of hot food could also lead to property damage to countertops, flooring, or other kitchen surfaces.
- Consumer Reliance: Consumers expect disposable pans, particularly those labeled “heavy duty,” to safely contain and support their contents when used according to instructions. A failure under these circumstances erodes trust and exposes users to unexpected hazards.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own or use Reynolds Kitchens® Heavy Duty Medium Roasting Pans, or similar disposable aluminum pans, should take the following precautions:
- Exercise Extreme Caution: Always handle hot disposable roasting pans with extreme caution, even if they are placed on a non-disposable support.
- Confirm Support: When using disposable aluminum pans for heavy items, ensure they are always placed on and lifted with a sturdy, non-disposable cookie sheet or baking pan that fully supports the entire base of the disposable pan. Do not rely solely on the disposable pan’s structural integrity, even if it is labeled “heavy duty.”
- Assess Weight: Be mindful of the weight of the contents being placed in disposable pans. For exceptionally heavy items, consider using permanent cookware instead.
- Inspect Pans: Before use, visually inspect disposable pans for any deformities, creases, or weak points that could compromise their structure.
- Report Incidents: If you experience a similar incident or any injury related to this or other consumer products, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Your report helps identify potential hazards and contributes to product safety.
Manufacturer’s Response
On February 17, 2026, Reynolds Consumer Products provided a response regarding the incident. The manufacturer identified the product as a Reynolds Kitchens® Heavy Duty Medium Roasting Pan, intended for single-use food preparation when properly supported during handling.
Reynolds Consumer Products reiterated the product packaging’s instruction and warning: “CAUTION: DIRECTIONS FOR USE TO AVOID BURNS. Handle the pan with caution at all times. Lift and support pan with a non-disposable cookie sheet.”
The company asserted that “Based on the information provided to the company, the product was not used in accordance with instructions. The baking pan was not lifted and supported with a non disposable cookie sheet.” They concluded that “When used as directed, the company has not identified a defect or an unreasonable risk of injury associated with this product. The company encourages consumers to carefully follow all package instructions and warnings to help reduce the risk of injury.” This statement directly conflicts with the consumer’s detailed account of adhering to the instructions.
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.
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Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
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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.