Stanley, the renowned 110-year-old tumbler brand, experienced a rollercoaster year marked by viral success, sold-out products, and subsequent health concerns. The Quencher bottle, propelled to fame on TikTok, faced a setback when a video from March revealed potential lead content, stirring worries among consumers.
TikTok’s role in Stanley’s financial surge between 2019 and 2023 contrasted sharply with the platform’s influence on health concerns surrounding the Quencher bottles. A user known as “Lead Safe Mama” claimed to detect lead on the bottle’s bottom using a reactive agent, causing panic among users as the video circulated online.
Stanley addressed the concerns, acknowledging the presence of trace amounts of lead in their manufacturing processes but assured consumers that the inner layers, where lead is present, are enclosed within stainless steel exteriors. The company insisted that the lead would not leach into beverages.
In statements made to local news, USA Today, and the Today show, Stanley representatives said that lead is indeed used in the company’s manufacturing processes and trace amounts can be found in its products, but that it will not touch any beverage put inside the cups because it’s enclosed within their interiors, which are protected by the company’s customary stainless steel exteriors.
A video by Lead Safe Mama, showing the mug’s inner layers exposed to the reactive agent, seemed to support Stanley’s claims.
Representatives from Stanley emphasized compliance with US and state regulations and stated they are working on innovative, alternative materials for the sealing process. The company assured consumers that the lead content, while present, is not in quantities sufficient to pose harm unless the tumbler is opened.
In conclusion, the TikTok-fueled rise of Stanley’s Quencher bottles encountered a setback when health concerns about potential lead content surfaced. Stanley responded by affirming the presence of trace amounts of lead, explaining its containment within the tumbler’s interior layers, and assuring compliance with regulations. The company is also exploring alternative materials for the sealing process, aiming to address consumer concerns while maintaining the popularity of its products.