SInce it was introduced to the market in October 2013, the Fitbit Force has been experiencing strong sales. It is the latest gadget from the company behind the Fitbit Flex – Fitbit. It is a powerful Force for everyday fitness.
But customers have been complaining of a skin rash when wearing the wristband, which was not reported with its predecessor.
According to the CEO and Co-founder, James Park, “While only 1.7% of Force users have reported any type of skin irritation, we care about every one of our customers. On behalf of the entire Fitbit team, I want to apologize to anyone affected.”
“From the beginning, we have taken this matter very seriously. We hired independent labs and medical experts to conduct a thorough investigation. Here’s what we know:
- Independent test results have not found any issues with the battery or electrical systems.
- Test results show that users are likely experiencing allergic contact dermatitis.
- All Force materials are commonly used in consumer products. However, some users may be reacting to the nickel present in the surgical grade stainless steel used in the device. Other users are likely experiencing an allergic reaction to the materials used in the strap or the adhesives used to assemble the product.
We have now learned enough to take further action. We have stopped selling Force and have decided to conduct a voluntary recall.”
The company is offering a refund directly to consumers for full retail price. For additional information related to the recall, a dedicated page on the Fitbit website and a call center at 888-656-6381 have been set up.
