McDonald’s recalls activity bands

The voluntary recall by the fast food chain is a preventive measure following the recall in the US and Canada, after receiving customer reports of skin irritations and burns from wearing the band.

“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 bag of free apple slices,” a release from Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd said on McDonald’s behalf. The release said there have been reports of customers affected in the US, but none from other markets conducting the recall.

Some 33 million wristbands were manufactured for the US and Canada. Because of the limited dates of distribution and the decision by McDonald’s to stop distributing to customers on August 17, the release said many of the bands had not yet been given to customers.

Apologising to customers who were impacted, and for the inconvenience the recall has caused, the release said McDonald’s highest priority was the safety and well-being of its customers. The release quoted McDonald’s as saying, “We would like you to know that this recall has no impact on other Happy Meal programmes.”