Stanley Tumbler Scandal: TikTok Videos Raise Questions About Safety

The Stanley Tumbler, which caused a sell-out frenzy in the United States as a Starbucks Valentine’s Day limited edition, has been embroiled in a controversy over the presence of lead.

According to Fox News and other local media outlets on the 29th, numerous videos have been posted on social media, including TikTok, claiming that lead was detected when the Stanley Tumbler was tested with a lead inspection kit.

The released videos showed a cotton swab moistened with a solution that changes color upon contact with lead, being rubbed in various places, such as the bottom of the Stanley Tumbler.

The cotton swab that rubbed the Stanley Tumbler changed color, and consumer anxiety grew as this video was shared.

Lead is a toxic substance among heavy metals, and if it is absorbed into the body and excessively accumulated, it can cause neurological disorders, anemia, constipation, and abdominal pain. In children, it can interfere with growth or cause hyperactivity disorders.

As the video spread, Stanley explained that lead was partially used in the material sealing the bottom, and there was no direct contact with consumers.

Stanley said, “We use industry-standard pellets to seal the vacuum insulation located at the bottom of the product during manufacturing, and this sealing material contains some lead.” Once sealed, this part (the bottom) is covered with a durable stainless steel layer and cannot touch the consumer,” they reassured consumers, “No lead touches any surface of any Stanley product that consumers come into contact with. No lead touches the contents, so rest assured.

Meanwhile, the limited edition Stanley Tumbler in collaboration with Starbucks caused a sell-out frenzy in the United States and even caused a stir as it was traded at a price up to 10 times the original price, with a maximum of $550 in the online used market.