Stanley cups may be social media icons of “hydration culture,” but consumers are rethinking the cult favorite’s safety after the company confirmed it contains lead. Stanley representatives have stated that, while lead is used to manufacture the cups, it poses no risk to consumers during normal use. Regardless, lawsuits have been filed against Pacific Market International, Stanley’s parent company, alleging they didn’t properly warn consumers of the presence of lead in their products. The litigation has grown into a class action lawsuit, potentially allowing affected consumers across the nation to hold Stanley and Pacific Market International accountable. 

Stanley Cup Lead Content 

Concern around the cups’ lead content arose in 2023 when a consumer goods safety organization warned that a component in the base of some Stanley cups contained hazardous levels of lead. The article sparked a viral TikTok trend as influencers filmed the results of at-home lead tests they used on the bottoms of their Stanley cups. As the social media storm raged, Stanley remained quiet. 

Months later in 2024, Stanley finally confirmed that their cups contain lead—but they attempted to reassure customers that the presence of the metal isn’t a safety concern. The company claims contact with lead isn’t possible during normal use and that the container would need to be damaged to pose an exposure risk.

A public statement from Stanley explained that lead-containing pellets, located inside the base of the cup, are a key component of the product’s vacuum insulation technology that is integral in maintaining beverage temperature. Stanley referred to the inclusion of lead as an “industry standard” and emphatically stated that “All Stanley products are safe.” The disclosure went on to advise that no lead is found on cup surfaces—according to Stanley, the pellets are covered with a durable stainless steel layer that protects customers from exposure. 

Stanley’s Delay Leads To Lawsuits

Stanley’s disclosure was too little, too late for some consumers. About a month later, several lawsuits were filed against Pacific Market International, accusing the maker of the popular beverage container of neglecting to advise consumers of its lead content. The plaintiffs stated they would not have purchased the cups, which commonly retail for $35 and up, had they known about the presence of lead. Lawsuits go on to claim that Stanley often advertised the cups being used during hikes and other strenuous activities that could easily damage the product, giving consumers a false sense of security. 

Plaintiffs are seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation, including product purchase refunds and punitive damages, to hold the companies accountable. Lawsuits also aim to require Stanley to issue a lead warning on its products to inform consumers of alleged health risks. 

As litigation swells, Pacific Market International has asked a federal judge to dismiss the class action lawsuit. The company claims plaintiffs have failed to show any harm caused by the cups, regardless of their lead content. 

Concern about its products’ lead content isn’t the only controversy Stanley is facing. In late 2024, the company recalled its Switchback and Trigger Action travel mugs following an onslaught of reports of malfunctioning lids. A problem with the lid threads caused them to detach from the cups when exposed to hot liquids, creating a risk of burns for users. More than 35 people suffered burns worldwide due to the design flaw. Stanley is offering a free replacement lid for owners of a recalled product.

Are Stanley Cup Users At Risk Of Lead Exposure? 

Many concerned consumers view Stanley’s statement as a deflection from serious safety issues. The CDC links exposure to lead, a toxic heavy metal, to problems like high blood pressure, memory problems, and fertility problems in adults. For children, the repercussions of lead poisoning are even more concerning, causing sometimes irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, learning problems, and more. Symptoms of lead poisoning often aren’t apparent right away, leaving the individual at risk of further exposure. 

Stanley customers have taken to social media to voice their concerns and share personal accounts of their experiences. Parents are especially worried about what the cups’ lead content means for children using the products, given their increased susceptibility to lead poisoning. Several consumers even stated they were exposed to the lead pellet when their cup’s cover came off without their knowledge. 

Though some experts back Stanley’s stance and state the cup’s design prevents lead exposure as long as the product is undamaged, others aren’t convinced. Tamara Rubin, the environmental consultant who penned the 2023 exposé on lead in Stanley products, challenged the company’s claim that their product’s design adequately protects consumers from the lead pellets. Rubin stated frequent washings, heavy use, and children’s tendency to fidget with the cup’s base could all increase the risk of the cover coming off, subjecting users to harmful levels of lead.

The Way Forward

Many customers who once trusted Stanley to provide safe products for themselves and their children now feel betrayed by the company’s use of lead and alleged failure to provide adequate warnings. What’s more, competitors have shown that similar products can be made without reliance on lead—leaving many questioning Stanley’s safety practices. In the midst of the backlash, Hydro Flask took to Instagram to reiterate how it removed lead from its products over a decade ago, underscoring its commitment to a “higher standard.” Impacted individuals hope the Stanley Cup lead lawsuits will push the company toward stricter safety standards and greater accountability for consumer health.