January 15, 2026 – A consumer incident report details a severe safety concern involving Stella Artois beer from lot LD1200, sold at Costco. The report indicates that bottles within a 24-pack contained exterior glass shards, leading to a laceration injury to a consumer while handling the product. A significant number of bottles in the pack were found to be similarly affected.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On December 24, 2025, an incident was reported concerning a 24-pack of Stella Artois beer, specifically lot LD1200, purchased from Costco. The consumer experienced a laceration injury while holding one of the bottles, which was found to have shards of glass on its exterior. Further inspection of the 24-pack revealed a widespread issue, with at least 18 of the bottles exhibiting similar exterior glass shards. The incident report attributes the presence of these shards to damage incurred during packaging. The exact nature of the packaging damage that led to the glass shards on the bottle exteriors is not detailed, but it suggests a significant flaw in the packaging or handling process for this specific lot.
Safety Concerns
The presence of exterior glass shards on beverage bottles poses several immediate and potential long-term risks:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is lacerations, cuts, or punctures to the hands and fingers of anyone handling the affected bottles. As demonstrated by the reported incident, these injuries can occur simply from picking up or moving a bottle. Deeper cuts could lead to significant bleeding, nerve damage, or tendon damage requiring immediate medical attention.
- Contamination Risk: While the shards are reported to be on the exterior, severe impacts that cause external shards could also compromise the bottle’s integrity, potentially leading to internal glass fragments or contamination of the beer itself. Ingesting glass fragments could cause severe internal injuries, including lacerations to the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
- Who Might Be Affected: Consumers are at the highest risk, particularly those who purchase and handle these specific beer bottles. Retail staff involved in stocking shelves or handling returns could also be affected. Given the widespread nature of the issue within the reported 24-pack, anyone who has purchased Stella Artois beer from lot LD1200 could be at risk.
- Property Damage Potential: While the main risk is personal injury, sharp glass shards could scratch or damage countertops, tables, or other surfaces if bottles are placed down without caution.
What Consumers Should Do
If you have purchased Stella Artois beer from lot LD1200, please take the following actions immediately:
- Immediate Steps: If you have sustained an injury from a damaged bottle, seek medical attention promptly. Do not attempt to clean up or handle damaged bottles with bare hands.
- How to Check for the Affected Product: Carefully inspect any Stella Artois beer bottles you may have, specifically looking for the lot number “LD1200” printed on the packaging or bottles. Visually examine the exterior of each bottle for any cracks, chips, or detached glass shards *before* handling them.
- Prevention Measures: If you identify bottles from lot LD1200, avoid handling them directly with bare hands. Consider wearing thick gloves or using a towel to move them. It is recommended to safely dispose of these bottles or return them to the retailer for a refund.
- Reporting Procedures: If you encounter similar issues or have been injured, please file a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Also, notify Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC, the manufacturer, of your findings.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the current report, the manufacturer’s response to this specific incident regarding Stella Artois lot LD1200 is unknown.
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.
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.