Stanley rivals tout lead-free bottles amid controversy

After complaints recently arose on TikTok that water bottles from Stanley contain trace amounts of lead, it didn’t take long for rivals of the popular drinkware brand to weigh in. Sensing an opportunity to market their wares, brands such as Owala, Klean Kanteen, Clearly Filtered and Bkr have all run social media posts about the lack of lead in their brands. For Stanley, the topic is drawing a different type of attention to the brand, a social media darling that has enjoyed a burst of momentum in recent months, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha buyers. The posts from its rivals come following an admission from Stanley that the brand’s popular tumblers do have “some lead” within sealing material used for vacuum insulation at the product’s base. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs When asked about the lead, a Stanely spokesperson pointed to a statement in the FAQ section of its website that reads, “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 is under a section entitled “Do Stanley products contain lead?” Some TikTok users reacted negatively; one called the lead inclusion “ick” and another posted a video of a Stanley Quencher landing in the trash bin. The question “Is there toxic lead in Stanley cups” has received 7.4 million views on TikTok. @cgabriellea we’re not getting lead poisoning over here. #stanley #fyp #stanleytumbler #stanleylead #leadposioning #sanleycupshavelead ♬ original sound - GABI 📖☕️ The situation is yet another example of how social media commentary can force brands into a defensive position, almost instantly at times. It also comes as the water bottle category emerges as a major battleground for brands trying to win the hearts of young buyers who have adopted drinkwear as a fashion statement. Read more: Why Gen Alpha is so brand-obsessed The Stanley matter has drawn national media attention, including from CNN, which found that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has “strict regulations” on lead levels in products. As of Monday, Stanley’s tumblers were not listed on the CPSC’s site for public complaints of unsafe products. The brand was listed on the site for a 2005 recall of its thermos bottles due to potential leaks of charcoal. Last year, Bindle recalled its bottles following lead poisoning risks. Subtle digs Water bottle competitors quickly jumped into the fray with subtle digs at Stanley without addressing the brand by name. Owala, a maker of colorful stainless steel tumblers that are quickly rising in popularity with children and adults, posted an Instagram image of a chat conversation with someone named Chad, who asked about lead. “Owala Bottles are lead-free. Always have been. Always will be,” the brand wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Owala (@owala) Meanwhile, Klean Kanteen used a popular street sign-holding meme to note its BPA-free and lead-free bottles on Instagram. The post read, "We got you." View this post on Instagram A post shared by kleankanteen (@kleankanteen) Clearly Filtered, which sells water filtration systems as well as water bottles, posted over the weekend about its reusable materials. “Additionally, Clearly Filtered Water Bottles remove up to 99.99% of 220+ contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, lead, & more, without targeting beneficial minerals,” the Instagram post read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clearly Filtered (@clearly_filtered) In an Instagram post Monday, Hydro Flask emphasized its decade-old process of sealing bottles without using lead. Five years ago, the brand was considered a favorite bottle of Gen Z consumers before Stanley boosted its own image with younger customers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hydro Flask (@hydroflask) Sign up for Ad Age newsletters From influencer marketing to agencies, get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox Click here

Stanley rivals tout lead-free bottles amid controversy

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