Stanley ‘Quencher’ Parent Company Sued After Admitting To Using Lead In Its Cups

By Asheea Smith

(Photo: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The same Stanley "Quencher" Tumblers that caused a frenzy at Target and Starbucks on Valentine's Day are now being slammed after new alleged information about its manufacturing process has surfaced.

Pacific Market International — the parent company of Stanley — is being sued for allegedly deceiving Stanley customers by not adequately disclosing the amount of lead in their products.

The case against PMI was filed in February 2024 by a Seattle-based firm as a potential class-action lawsuit in California. The focus of the claims allege the company didn't confirm the use of lead in its manufacturing process until January 2024.

"As the manufacturer and designer of these products, the Stanley Defendants knew, or reasonably should have known, about this lead issue for years but chose to conceal it from the public presumably to avoid losing sales," the suit claimed, according to NBC.

When TikTok users started going viral testing the tumblers for traces of lead, Stanley responded saying although the cup does contain an industry standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of the product, the area is then covered by stainless steel, making it unlikely to come into contact with any lead.

"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," PMI said in a statement.

@waterjetchannel Stanley Lead Test ️ #stanleycup #stanleytumbler s#stanleyleadtest #fypシ ♬ Paris - Else

TikTok user @waterjetchannel says they found traces of lead while testing the product, however, it did take some effort to get results.

The Stanley "Quenchers" have become a favorite amongst families across the nation as well as social media influencers.

Since going viral in the past year, Stanley cups have raked in over $750 million in annual revenue. The colorful and trendy Galentine's Day cup resales hit a staggering $250 per tumbler, WPDE-15 reports.

According to the World Health Organization, people can be exposed to lead through inhalation and ingestion. Young children may absorb four to five times as much due to hand to mouth behaviors. Once ingested, lead can be stored in teeth and organs where it accumulates over time.

(Photo: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

"Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time, especially in children. The greatest risk is to brain development, where irreversible damage can occur," the Mayo Clinc says. "Higher levels can damage the kidneys and nervous system in both children and adults. Very high lead levels may cause seizures, unconsciousness and death."

The lawsuit, which demands Stanley to end what they call deceptive practices, are seeking unspecified damages.