You’ve probably seen these at your local Kmart or Target Store: the massive, sleek, two-litre stainless steel drink bottles that seem to be the unofficial accessory of the year. Whether you picked one up for your desk or your gym bag, the Anko 2L bottle has been a ubiquitous sight across Australia. However, if yours is sitting on your counter right now, you might want to put the kettle down and pay close attention.
Retail giants Kmart and Target have issued an immediate recall for the Anko 2L Stainless Steel Drink Bottle. While these bottles are typically marketed for keeping your water icy cold during a workout, it is what happens when things heat up that has safety regulators concerned.
When a Lid Becomes a Projectile
The issue lies in a technical glitch within the lid threading. According to Product Safety Australia, the threading on these specific bottles has a tendency to shrink when exposed to hot liquids.
Now, a shrinking lid might sound like a minor inconvenience, perhaps a bit of a leak here or there, but the reality is significantly more dramatic. When that threading loses its grip under pressure, the lid can “eject as a projectile.”
The Risks: More Than Just a Spill
The hazards associated with this defect are two-fold. Firstly, there is the risk of “serious injury including lacerations” should the lid fly off with force. Secondly, because the recall is triggered by hot liquids, there is a very real danger of severe burn injuries if the contents spray out unexpectedly.
Perhaps most concerning is the confirmation from the watchdog that “incidents have occurred.” While we do not yet have specific details on whether these incidents resulted in hospitalisations, the fact that the product has been pulled from shelves suggests the risk is far from theoretical.
Is Your Bottle on the List?
The recall affects the 2L stainless steel models sold at both Kmart and Target stores under the Anko brand name. They were available in two popular, minimalist colours: Khaki and Black.
To be certain, check your receipt or the product packaging for the following identifiers:
- Kmart Khaki: 43544523
- Kmart Black: 43544530
- Target Khaki: 70967722
- Target Black: 70967739
The Bottom Line: What to Do Next
If you own one of these bottles, the advice is straightforward: stop using it for hot liquids immediately. While the bottle may still hold cold water perfectly well, the safety risk simply isn’t worth the gamble.
The best course of action is to return the bottle to your nearest Kmart or Target store. You are entitled to a full refund, even if you have had the bottle for a while. If you have already gifted the bottle to a friend or sold it second-hand, the retailers are asking that you make contact to ensure the new owner is aware of the danger.
For those who cannot make it into a store, you can contact the Kmart customer service line on 1800 124 125 or Target on 1300 753 567 during business hours.
Stay hydrated, but please, stay safe. It might be time to go back to a standard mug for that morning brew.
