Pacific Market International (PMI), the parent company of drinkware line Stanley, is facing at least two lawsuits that claim the firm deceived consumers about the presence of lead in the brand’s wildly popular tumblers, which sell in the promotional products industry as well at retail.

Mariana Franzetti, a Nevada resident, and Robin Krohn, a California resident, are seeking damages and more in the separate lawsuits they filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on Feb. 12 and Feb. 14, respectively.

Lead Concerns & PMI’s Response

The complaints allege that PMI misled consumers about the safety of its tumblers by failing to publicly disclose, until January 2024, that the drinkware contains lead.

Excessive lead exposure can cause adverse health effects ranging from cardiovascular problems and kidney damage to nervous system issues and slower growth/development in children.

PMI said in January that the material it uses to vacuum-insulate tumblers at their base contains some lead, but asserted this poses no health threat.

“Rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer nor the contents of the product,” the statement said. PMI is reportedly working to create an alternative to lead for sealing.

Some health experts have chimed in to say the risk of potentially harmful lead exposure related to the Stanley products is virtually nil.

“Rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer.” PMI/Stanley

“There really is practically zero risk of you ingesting any of the lead that’s in this cup,” Jack Caravanos, doctor of public health and professor of environmental public health sciences at New York University’s School of Global Public Health, told NBC News.

PMI appears to be gearing up to fight against the lawsuits, saying in a statement published by USA TODAY that it plans to “vigorously defend itself against meritless claims.”

‘Essentially Worthless’

Still, some concerned consumers worry that damage or wear to the tumblers could increase the risk of ingesting lead. The suits say that PMI not sharing sooner about the lead – and still allegedly not revealing how much lead content is present – prevented shoppers from making informed decisions about whether or not to purchase Stanley products.

“Krohn was unaware that the Stanley cup contained any lead, and would not have purchased it or she would not have paid as much for it if that information was fully disclosed,” her suit reads. “Plaintiff was injured by paying a substantial premium for the Stanley cup, whose value was less than what she paid for based on the presence of the alleged lead.”

Lawyers for Franzetti wrote she would not have bought the Stanley tumbler if she’d know there was lead in it.

“The product is now essentially worthless to (her) because the product contains lead, a highly toxic metal, which (she) confirmed via the use of a home test,” the suit said. “Plaintiff can no longer trust using this product safely for fear of lead exposure to her and her family.”

Beyond seeking unspecified damages, the Krohn suit asks a judge to prohibit PMI from selling the Stanley cups until the levels of “lead are removed or full disclosure of the presence of such appears on all labels, packaging and advertising.” The complaint also wants PMI to undertake corrective advertising, to be enjoined from selling Stanley cups in “any manner suggesting or implying that they are safe for use,” and to be forced to pay restitution on any revenue generated from acts the court deems unlawful.

Product of the Year? It had to be the Stanley Quencher, didn't it? And it is. Really interesting report on the mega impact of this product on the #promoproducts market by @SaraLav_ASI.

2023 Product of the Year: The Stanley Quencher https://t.co/AcS4Yh2vwx

— Chris Ruvo (@ChrisR_ASI) December 21, 2023

Promo Connections

With its viral popularity at retail and in the promotional products industry, the Stanley Quencher was named ASI Media’s 2023 Product of the Year in late December.

Social media influencers played a pivotal role in spurring the runaway popularity of the Quencher, which CNBC reported as generating annual sales of approximately $750 million. Social media was also a driving force in stirring up concerns about lead. Stanley users checked their cups for lead with at-home test kits, then shared what they’d found on social, helping spark the firestorm.

“While they have apparently received varying results, there have been no reputable, consistent indications that the cups contain lead in the inner portion that holds liquid,” USA TODAY reported. “And there have been no known reports of the cups causing any health issues for consumers.”

Top 40 suppliers Starline (asi/89320), HPG (asi/61966) and PCNA (asi66887) are promo companies that carry Stanely products. When contacted by ASI Media, Starline referred comment to PMI/Stanley. HPG hadn’t responded as of this writing. PCNA referred to a previous statement from Chief Merchandising Officer Liz Haesler.

“Stanley has passed safety and compliance tests,” Haesler noted. “All compliance documents are accessible on PCNA’s asset portal and our product pages. Transparency is key to trust, and we ensure that our customers have unimpeded access to all relevant product safety information. We will continue to listen to feedback from the industry and investigate all safety concerns across our assortment of products.”