U.S. government issues warning on McDonald's recalled wearable devices

The recall of McDonald's first wearable device was serious enough to get the attention of a government agency.
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Last week's McDonald's debacle, which saw the fast food giant forced to recall its first wearable tracker, has taken yet another turn, this time involving the U.S. government.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) followed McDonald's recall of the device with its own official warning to consumers, and revealed a few facts that we didn't have before.

According to the CPSC, McDonald's had roughly 29 million Step-It devices in the U.S. and 3.6 million units in Canada.


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Of the units that actually made it onto the wrists of consumers, there were more "70 reports of incidents, including seven reports of blisters," after users put the wearable devices on their wrists.

The CPSC also confirmed that the devices were manufactured in China.

McDonald’s has received more than 70 reports of incidents, including seven reports of blisters

It's unclear how many of those users were children, but since the band was included in the chain's Happy Meal, which has historically been marketed to children, parents would be wise to take note of the recall.

"I urge parents and caregivers to take the recalled Step-It wristbands away from kids and return these activity trackers to McDonald’s right away," CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye said in a statement emailed to Mashable.

"McDonald's is giving consumers a replacement toy as well as an incentive. Act now. We do not want any more children to experience rashes or blisters from these recalled products."

The CPSC notice also notes that consumers not interested in a replacement toy can also return the devices to McDonald's in exchange for a "yogurt tube or bag of apple slices."

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