McDonald’s recalled millions of activity trackers that were packaged in its Happy Meals earlier this month after customers complained that the gadgets caused burns and irritation to some children’s skin, the company announced Tuesday.
The fast food chain already had stopped distributing the Step-It Activity Bands, which were available to customers in the United States and Canada from Aug. 9 to Aug. 17. Approximately 33 million wrist bands were manufactured as part of the promotion, though many had not yet been given to customers, the company said.
” We are now asking customers who have the activity bands to stop wearing them and return to any McDonald’s for a free replacement toy and a choice of a yogurt or apple slices,” spokeswoman Terri Hickey said in a statement.
McDonald’s received more than 70 reports of burns and skin irritation as a result of wearing the bands, which were made in China, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The fitness trackers were a controversial addition to Happy Meals even before the safety concerns. Some customers took to social media to note that McDonald’s was encouraging children to be physically active while also serving them high-fat foods, such as cheeseburgers and french fries.