NEW YORK — An attempt by McDonald’s to get kids moving
isn’t working out so great: The chain said it will no longer distribute
activity trackers in its Happy Meals after reports that they might cause skin
irritations.
The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said Wednesday it
received limited reports of potential skin irritations that may be associated
with the bands, which look like step counters. Terri Hickey, a McDonald’s
representative, said in an email that McDonald’s is “fully investigating
this issue” and that restaurants are “offering our youngest guests an
alternative Happy Meal toy.”
Hickey declined to provide further details.
The fitness bands, which were available in the U.S. and
Canada, were seen as an odd promotion in some circles because of McDonald’s
reputation for serving fattening junk food. The chain has been trying to shed
that image over the years, particularly with parents, in part by tweaking its
Happy Meals to include fruit.
At one New York City location, the activity tracker bands,
which look like watches, were available earlier Wednesday. The bag says the
activity bands were made in China.