In a major development, over 440,000 winter-holiday Starbucks-branded mugs, a result of Starbucks’ venture with Nestle, are being retracted from the market due to safety concerns. The recall came into effect in response to multiple reports of users suffering burns and lacerations, as delineated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The federal safety body brought to light the potential danger posed by these mugs due to their tendency to overheat or fracture when subjected to microwave radiation or filled with scorching fluids. These occurrences create a considerable threat of burns or lacerations to consumers.
These holiday-perfect mugs hit the shelves of major retail outlets across the country, including Target and Walmart. They were sold between November and January both in brick-and-mortar stores and online marketplaces. The festive mugs, characterized by their 11-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, were also included as an attractive component of Starbucks holiday gift sets. These holiday sets, to be precise, featured two mugs, a Starbucks classic hot cocoa and mug, Starbucks peppermint and classic hot cocoas and mug, and a Starbucks holiday blend coffee and mug. Depending on the selected gift set, the price of these mugs ranged from a modest $10 to a slightly higher $20.
According to the regulatory authority, ten cases of injuries related to the mugs’ usage have been registered as of Thursday. This includes nine incidents of severe burns and blisters targeting the users’ fingers or hands, along with a case report of a cut finger amidst twelve reported incidents.
Cognizant of the potential risks, authorities have instructed consumers to desist from using the mugs. They are further encouraged to return the mugs to their original place of purchase or reach out to Nestlé USA for a comprehensive refund.
Rendering an official statement on its corporate website, Nestle affirmed that the issue with the mugs came to its notice via consumer complaints. The company promptly undertook corrective actions and is presently working in collaboration with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to carry out the recall.
In a bid to allay any wider concerns, Nestle made it clear that the recall exclusively pertains to the aforementioned Starbucks-branded mugs and does not extend to any other Nestlé USA or Starbucks-branded products.