Fitbit announced today that they are issuing a voluntary recall of their $130 Fitbit Force—they’re offering refunds to people who own them, and they’ve stopped selling the device. This in response to user complaints they’ve received of the wrist-band fitness tracker causing a rash (Fitbit CEO and cofounder James Park says that 1.7 percent of Force users have complained about a rash reaction). It’s not totally clear what the cause is, although tests indicate the rash is likely a contact dermatitis, or an allergic reaction to a substance in the band, such as nickel (trace amounts of which are found in the metal part of the tracker). Worth noting: the Force is the only Fitbit product that’s being recalled—the rest of the manufacturer’s line of fitness tracker options are still for sale and perfectly safe to wear.
The news of the contact dermatitis and the recall is a little gross, yes, but the Fitbit folks deserve praise for publicizing the problem, reportedly hiring medical experts to figure out the cause, and then yanking it off the market as soon as reports of dermatitis came to light. If you own one and want a refund, this link on Fitbit.com will give you the deets.
In the meantime, if you’re desperately hooked to a daily movement and fitness tracker and loathe to part with your beloved Force, check out this roundup of the 5 Best Fitness Trackers.
Â