Why Nearly 3 Million Stanley Mugs Are Being Recalled

In a fall and winter of seemingly nonstop food recalls (which could actually be a good sign for food safety), the culinary world was again rocked today by a variation on recent news alerts: no fewer than 2.6 million of the super-popular Stanley brand stainless steel mugs — the very same carried by influencers seemingly everywhere — are being recalled due to a risk of lids detaching.

According to a statement issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a total of 38 burn injuries across the world were attributed to the defective drinkware, which includes all Stanley Switchback and Trigger Action stainless steel travel mugs sold in the United States between June 2016 and December 2024. Mugs containing 12, 16, and 20 ounces are affected. The Stanley mugs affected by the recall were mostly sold at nationwide outlets like Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Walmart. They retailed for prices between $20 and $50 and were manufactured in China.

Stanley is asking customers who own the mugs to get in touch with the company in order to have a replacement lid sent to them. The mugs under recall had particular numerical product codes stamped on them. If you question whether your Stanley product is affected, double-check the CPSC list to see if your cup bears just such a code.

If it's true that the color of your mug affects the taste of your coffee, then Stanley has you covered. Its rainbow-hued drinkware line, which includes tumblers, growlers, canteens, and mugs, have become a near-ubiquitous accessory in the past couple of years. Consumers — young women in particular are fond of the brand — have made many of the limited-edition Stanley collaborations (such as the glittery magenta Starbucks offering this holiday season) go viral. The vessels have also attracted immense resale prices.

As hard as it might be to hear, you may be best off if you put your recalled Stanley mug(s) away, at least until you can get a replacement lid if you use them for hot drinks. There is no shortage of cute, colorful mugs to use in the meantime, such as the Yeti Rambler or Hydro Flask Insulated Mug, as well as any Stanley cups not currently under recall.