Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars Recalled by LEM Products Distribution Due to Laceration Hazard

What was recalled

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a voluntary recall concerning specific batches of Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars. These products were distributed by LEM Products Distribution and are being pulled from the market due to safety concerns that have been identified after they reached consumers’ homes. If you enjoy home canning or preserving seasonal produce, this is a product you may have in your pantry right now, so it is important to know exactly what to look for.

The recalled items are clear glass jars designed specifically for canning food. They feature the "Roots & Harvest" brand name molded directly into the glass of each jar. Each individual jar comes equipped with a metal lid and a screw-on type band, which are standard components for securing contents during the preservation process. The jars were not sold individually in most cases; instead, they were packaged in 12-packs. These packs were contained within a cardboard sleeve and shrink-wrapped in clear plastic, making them appear as a single, retail-ready unit when you picked them up at the store.

While the recall notice from September 8, 2022, does not list specific model numbers or SKUs, it clearly describes the physical characteristics of the affected units. The key identifiers are the brand name "Roots & Harvest," the "Wide Mouth Pint" size designation, and the packaging style described above. If you have a set of these jars that matches this description, they fall under the scope of this recall.

The distribution of these jars was primarily through Orscheln Farm & Home stores. It is also noted that LEM Products Distribution was responsible for the overall recall logistics and consumer assistance. The recall covers units sold in packs as described, meaning if you purchased a single jar outside of this specific packaging configuration, it might not be part of this batch, but you should verify with the manufacturer to be sure. The lack of reported incidents is a relief, but the potential for glass fragments inside the jars means that no amount of careful inspection can guarantee a specific jar is safe without professional testing or simply opting out of use entirely.

We understand that home canning is often a labor of love, connecting us to traditions of self-sufficiency and seasonal eating. However, when manufacturing defects introduce foreign materials like loose glass pieces into food containers, the risk outweighs the convenience. By identifying these specific jars now, you can take control of your kitchen safety before any harm occurs.

The hazard, explained

When you open a jar of home-canned food, you expect the contents to be safe and the container to be intact. In this specific recall, that expectation is compromised by a hidden structural flaw within the glass itself. According to the CPSC report, pieces of glass can be found inside some of the Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars. This is not merely a matter of the jar breaking externally; it involves microscopic or macroscopic fragments of the glass material becoming detached from the jar’s walls and settling inside the vessel during the manufacturing process.

To understand why this is dangerous, it helps to look at what happens when you use these jars for their intended purpose: canning. The canning process involves heating food to high temperatures to kill bacteria, then sealing it tightly so it cools and creates a vacuum. During this cycle, the glass expands from the heat and contracts as it cools. This thermal stress is normal for good-quality canning jars, which are designed with tempered or annealed glass specifically to withstand these rapid temperature changes without shattering. However, if a piece of glass has already separated internally during production, it acts as a loose object inside a rigid container.

The primary risk here is laceration. When you unscrew the metal lid and band to access your food, the vacuum seal may break with a pop, or you may use a utensil to remove the contents. If there are loose shards of glass suspended in the liquid or resting on top of the food, they become an immediate physical hazard. Unlike a broken jar that falls apart externally, these internal fragments can be small enough to go unnoticed by the eye until they are ingested. Swallowing sharp glass particles can cause serious injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus, and digestive tract. The severity of the injury depends on the size and sharpness of the fragment, but even small shards can puncture soft tissue, leading to bleeding, infection, or the need for medical intervention.

It is important to note that while no incidents have been reported with this specific batch as of the recall date in September 2022, the potential for harm exists simply by virtue of the defect. The hazard does not require the jar to fail catastrophically; it only requires you to open the lid and encounter the foreign material. Because the glass is clear and the food inside may be opaque or colorful (like jams, sauces, or vegetables), visual inspection of the contents can sometimes miss these fragments until they are too close to avoid. This makes the defect particularly insidious, as it bypasses the usual safeguards of careful visual checking before consumption.

Furthermore, the nature of glass means that these internal pieces do not dissolve or degrade over time. They remain sharp and hazardous indefinitely within the sealed environment of the jar. Therefore, the risk is not temporary; it persists until the jars are removed from your kitchen. The CPSC’s decision to issue a recall for this specific laceration hazard underscores that the presence of foreign glass in food containers is a serious safety violation, regardless of whether any injuries have occurred yet. The goal of the remedy—full refunds and returns—is to remove these potential hazards from homes entirely, ensuring that no one has to gamble with the integrity of their canned goods.

Who is most at risk

The primary group affected by this recall consists of home canning enthusiasts and households that regularly preserve seasonal produce, jams, or pickles using the Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars. These products were specifically marketed for food preservation, meaning they are designed to hold hot liquids and withstand high temperatures during the sterilization process. Consequently, anyone who purchased these jars in 12-packs from retailers like Orscheln Farm & Home or through LEM Products Distribution is potentially at risk. The hazard is not limited to professional canners; it extends to casual cooks, gardeners preserving their harvest, and families looking for cost-effective ways to store food. Because the defect involves microscopic or visible shards of glass embedded within the jar structure, the danger is hidden until the moment of use.

While anyone using these jars faces a laceration hazard, certain individuals are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of the injury and their physical circumstances. Children are at a heightened risk for two distinct reasons. First, they may be more likely to handle glassware without the same level of caution as adults, potentially dropping or striking the jar, which could cause any loose glass fragments to scatter or the jar itself to shatter upon impact. Second, if an adult is injured while canning and drops the jar, a child nearby could be struck by falling glass or exposed to hot contents simultaneously. Furthermore, children’s skin is more delicate than that of adults, meaning even smaller shards can cause deeper, more painful wounds that are harder for them to communicate about immediately.

Elderly individuals or those with reduced mobility and dexterity also face significant risks. Canning often requires handling heavy glass jars filled with hot liquid, a task that demands steady hands and strong grip strength. If the structural integrity of the jar is compromised by embedded glass, it may fail unexpectedly under normal handling pressures. For someone with weaker muscles or joint issues, a sudden breakage could lead to severe burns from hot food or liquids, in addition to cuts from glass. Additionally, older adults may have slower healing times and thinner skin, making lacerations more dangerous and prone to infection. There is also the psychological risk: the shock of discovering glass in food can cause a person to jerk their hand back violently, leading to secondary injuries such as hitting nearby counters or cabinets.

Finally, individuals with compromised immune systems should be especially concerned. A laceration caused by glass fragments introduces a high risk of infection, particularly if the shards are small enough to remain in the wound but large enough to carry bacteria. For those with diabetes, cardiovascular issues, or other conditions that affect circulation and healing, even minor cuts can escalate into serious medical complications quickly. Therefore, while the recall applies to all users, the potential for severe physical harm is disproportionately higher for these vulnerable populations.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

What to do — step by step

If you own any Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars, your immediate priority is to ensure that no one in your household uses them for food preservation or storage. The recall notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlights a specific and serious risk: pieces of glass may be found inside these jars. This is not a minor defect; it is a direct laceration hazard. Because the glass fragments are hidden within the vessel you intend to fill with food, there is a significant danger that they could mix with your harvest, causing injury if ingested. Therefore, the very first and most critical step is to immediately stop using these jars. Do not attempt to inspect them closely for shards before deciding their fate, as handling them carelessly could lead to accidental cuts. Place them in a safe location where children or pets cannot reach them while you prepare to follow the return process.

Once you have secured the jars safely, your next action is to contact LEM Products to initiate the remedy. LEM has committed to providing a full refund for these items, which means you do not lose money by returning them. You can reach their customer support team toll-free at 877-536-7763. Their representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, so keep those hours in mind if you call outside of standard business times. Alternatively, you may send an email to connectwithus@rootsandharvest.com. When you make contact, clearly state that you have the recalled Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars and wish to participate in the recall program. This initiates their assistance process.

LEM is making the return process as frictionless as possible for consumers. They will provide you with a return shipping container free of charge, along with a prepaid return label. This means you do not need to pay for postage or purchase packaging materials yourself. Follow the instructions provided by LEM to pack the jars securely. Even though they are broken glass hazards, proper packing prevents injury to the delivery personnel and ensures the items arrive safely for disposal. Once you have attached the prepaid label, drop the package off at your local shipping carrier.

If you purchased your jars from Orscheln Farm & Home, please note that this retailer is also contacting known purchasers directly. If you were contacted by them, follow their specific instructions instead of contacting LEM. However, if you bought them elsewhere or have not been contacted, relying on the direct LEM channels outlined above is the correct path. You can also visit https://www.lemproducts.com/product_recalls, https://www.rootsandharvest.com/product_recalls, or navigate to the "Product Recalls" section at the bottom of either https://www.lemproduct.com or https://www.rootsandharvest.com for additional details and updates.

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you have one of the recalled Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars, your primary and most important option is to stop using them immediately and seek a full refund. It is crucial to understand that this recall does not offer a repair kit, a modification service, or a replacement jar. Because the hazard involves physical pieces of glass embedded within the product itself, there is no safe way to fix the defect. The only remedy provided by LEM Products Distribution is to return the jars and receive your money back in full. This approach ensures that you are not left with a dangerous item and are financially made whole for a product that could not be used as intended.

The process for obtaining this refund has been designed to be as frictionless and cost-free as possible for you. You do not need to pay for shipping the defective jars back to LEM. When you contact them through one of the channels listed below, they will provide you with a return shipping container at no charge. Additionally, they will supply a prepaid return label. This means you can simply place the jars in the provided container, attach the label, and drop it off without spending any extra money. The company is also proactively assisting in contacting all known purchasers to facilitate this process, which helps ensure that those who bought the product directly are reached quickly.

To initiate this refund, you have several convenient ways to get in touch with LEM Products Distribution. You can call their toll-free customer service line at 877-536-7763. This line is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, if you prefer to speak with a representative directly. Alternatively, if you are more comfortable communicating in writing or need to send documents, you can email them at connectwithus@rootsandharvest.com. For those who prefer to manage the process online, you can visit https://www.lemproducts.com/product_recalls or https://www.rootsandharvest.com/product_recalls. You can also navigate to the main pages at https://www.lemproduct.com and https://www.rootsandharvest.com, then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Product Recalls" to find detailed instructions.

Please note that if you purchased these jars from Orscheln Farm & Home, they may be contacting known purchasers directly to handle the return process. Keep an eye out for their communication. Regardless of where you bought them, ensuring you have your proof of purchase or order details ready will help speed up your refund. By taking these steps now, you remove a potential laceration hazard from your home and secure your financial investment in a product that was found to be unsafe.

What can happen if you ignore it

It is completely understandable why you might hesitate to throw away or return a set of brand-new canning jars. Glass containers are expensive, and the idea of discarding them feels wasteful, especially when they look perfectly fine on your shelf. However, ignoring this recall poses a direct and unnecessary physical risk that far outweighs the convenience of keeping them. The core issue here is not about the structural integrity of the jar holding hot liquid; it is about invisible, microscopic dangers that can turn a routine kitchen task into a painful emergency.

The specific hazard identified in this recall involves pieces of glass being found inside the jars. In the context of food preservation, this is particularly insidious because you are likely to inspect the outside of the jar for cracks or chips before use. You might assume that if the exterior looks pristine, the interior must be safe as well. Unfortunately, loose glass fragments can settle at the bottom or adhere to the sides in ways that are not immediately obvious during a quick visual check. If you proceed with filling these jars with hot food and sealing them for canning, those glass shards become permanently trapped inside your food supply.

The consequence of using these jars is a laceration hazard. This means that if you consume food from one of the affected Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars, you could cut your mouth, tongue, or throat on the hidden glass fragment. Even a small piece of glass can cause significant pain, bleeding, and tissue damage. In more severe cases, sharp fragments can lead to choking hazards or require medical intervention to remove safely. While the official recall notice notes that no incidents have been reported as of the recall date, the presence of the defect itself is the warning sign. The lack of reported injuries does not mean the risk is low; it simply means that luck has held so far. Every time you use a jar with loose glass inside, you are rolling the dice with your health.

Beyond the immediate physical pain, there is the emotional toll of discovering a hazard in your home-cooked food. Imagine the shock and disappointment of finding glass in a meal you prepared with care for your family or friends. This kind of accident can lead to serious anxiety around home canning, potentially causing you to lose confidence in a beloved hobby. More importantly, it puts your loved ones at risk without their knowledge. By ignoring the recall, you are inadvertently becoming the source of a preventable injury. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your food is safe is invaluable, and it is far better to handle the return process now than to deal with the potential medical bills and trauma later.

Finally, consider the broader implication of using defective safety equipment. Home canning relies on trust in the tools you use. When a manufacturer identifies a defect that compromises food safety, they are telling you that the product has failed its primary duty: protecting your health. Continuing to use these jars undermines that safety protocol. The laceration hazard is not a minor inconvenience; it is a serious bodily injury risk that can happen in an instant. Do not let the cost of the jars dictate your safety. The potential for harm is real, immediate, and entirely avoidable by simply stopping use and contacting LEM Products as instructed.

Staying safe: broader tips

While this specific recall addresses a manufacturing defect in glass canning jars, the incident serves as a timely reminder that safety often depends on how we handle everyday items with long lifespans. Glass kitchenware, particularly when used for high-heat processes like canning or pressure cooking, endures significant thermal stress. To minimize the risk of breakage and potential injury in your own home, always inspect your jars before each use. Look closely for any nicks, chips, or fine cracks along the rim or body of the glass. Even a small imperfection that seems harmless can expand under rapid temperature changes, leading to sudden shattering. If you find any damaged glassware, dispose of it carefully in a sturdy box lined with paper to prevent cuts for sanitation workers, rather than attempting to repair or continue using it.

Another crucial aspect of kitchen safety involves proper handling and storage. Never place hot glass jars directly onto cold surfaces like marble countertops or into cold water immediately after processing. This thermal shock is a common cause of spontaneous breakage. Instead, always use dry potholders or silicone grips when moving hot containers, and allow them to cool gradually on a rack or towel. When storing food in glass containers, ensure they are completely cooled before refrigerating to prevent condensation-related slipping or temperature-induced stress. Additionally, avoid using metal utensils that might scratch the interior of your jars, as these scratches can become weak points over time.

Beyond physical handling, staying informed is one of the most effective safety tools you have. Manufacturers and government agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issue recalls when they discover defects that could pose a risk to consumers. These alerts are not just bureaucratic notices; they are critical data points that help keep your household safe. Make it a habit to periodically check the CPSC’s website or subscribe to their email alerts. When you register new appliances or purchase major home goods, take a few seconds to complete the product registration card or online form. This ensures that if a safety issue arises in the future, you will be contacted directly with instructions on how to protect yourself and your family.

Finally, consider establishing a routine for checking expiration dates and condition of non-perishable goods stored in glass jars. Over time, seals degrade, and contents can spoil even if the jar looks intact. Proper ventilation in your kitchen also helps reduce humidity, which can weaken packaging materials and promote mold growth on lids or bands. By combining vigilant inspection, gentle handling, and proactive information gathering, you create a robust layer of protection that goes far beyond any single product recall, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable cooking experience for years to come.