Fitbit has been hounded by bad publicity after some of its customers reported of developing skin problems such as rashes and blisters due to the Fitbit Force, the fitness monitoring device that the company launched in November.
Earlier, Fitbit had offered to replace the device or refund the money to its customers who developed skin problems, but now the company has finally decided to proceed with a full-scale recall of the $129 activity-tracking wristband after it hired independent lab and medical experts to investigate users' reports of skin irritation and found the device may really be causing problems to some users.
The company announced that it has stopped selling the Fitbit Force and is voluntarily recalling all units. Fitbit CEO and co-founder James Park said in a statement that they have investigated the problem and learned that users complaining of skin problems may have likely experienced allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by an allergic response to contact with a certain substance.
"Test results show that users are likely experiencing allergic contact dermatitis," said Park. "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."
Park has apologized on behalf of the company to those who developed skin irritations due to use of the Force. "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," Park said.
Park said the company has decided to conduct a voluntary recall of Fitbit Force and is offering a refund to its customers for the full retail price of the device. The CEO also said that the company is working on a new tracking device.
"We have stopped selling Force and have decided to conduct a voluntary recall. We are offering a refund directly to consumers for full retail price," Park said. "For additional information related to the recall, we have set up a dedicated page on our website and a call center at 888-656-6381. To our Force community, rest assured we're working on our next-generation tracker and will announce news about it soon."
