Walmart Recalls 850,000 Water Bottles After Customers Go Blind

Walmart is facing a major safety scandal after recalling nearly a million water bottles linked to devastating injuries—including two cases of permanent blindness.

The massive recall affects roughly 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz. Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles, sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and online. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an urgent warning this week, saying the bottles’ screw-on lids can violently launch off the bottle, hitting users in the face with explosive force.

“It was like a missile,” said one injured customer in a report filed with the CPSC. “I thought I was being attacked. Next thing I knew, I couldn’t see out of my eye.”

Dangerous Design, Devastating Consequences

According to federal safety officials, the problem stems from pressure buildup inside the sealed bottles, especially when users store perishable items like food, carbonated drinks, or dairy over time. When the cap is finally twisted open, the lid can blow off unexpectedly—turning a hydration product into a high-speed projectile.

Three people have already been injured, including two victims who were struck in the eyes and left with permanent vision loss, according to the CPSC’s official recall announcement.

The defective bottles were manufactured in China and distributed in the U.S. by Olympia Tools International Inc. and Walmart Inc. The model in question—model number 83-662—is silver with a black screw-on cap and carries the Ozark Trail logo on the side. The model number is printed only on the packaging, not on the bottle itself, making it tricky for customers to identify.

Legal and Corporate Fallout?

So far, Walmart has remained relatively quiet. But with devastating injuries piling up and outrage growing online, legal experts say the retail giant could face a wave of lawsuits.

“This is more than just a defective product,” said product liability attorney Rachel Morgan. “Walmart has a duty to ensure the safety of items it sells. Two people losing their vision is not just a fluke—it’s a crisis.”

The recall adds to a growing list of consumer safety failures. Just last month, Walmart pulled thousands of Ritz snacks from shelves over allergy mislabeling.

What You Need to Know

• Stop using the bottle immediately.
• Contact Walmart or Olympia Tools for a full refund or further instructions.
• Look for model number 83-662 on the original packaging.
• If you’ve suffered an injury, consult a medical professional—and consider contacting an attorney.

Bottom line: What was meant to keep you hydrated could leave you blind. Walmart is now scrambling to contain a public relations and safety nightmare—one bottle cap at a time.