A warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): CPSC and EB Brands have recalled three million fitness balls made in China after reports they can pop unexpectedly if they are overinflated, even though the balls say they are burst-resistant. The recall includes balls from Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit Fitness Balls.
This is being referred to as a “recall,” but EB Brands won’t actually be taking the balls back unless they have burst. And the balls will remain in stores.
The CPSC says 47 people have reported that the fitness balls have burst. Injuries include a fracture and multiple bruises.
If you have one of these balls, the CPSC says you should contact EB Brands to get a copy of the updated instructions on how to safely inflate it.
For more information, call EB Brands at (800) 624-5671 or go to EBbrands.com.
I think that one thing people should make sure to understand — and it’s not being reported — is that EB Brands actually approached the CPSC to find a way to better inform users of overinflation.
The term “product recall” is misleading, as no EB Brand balls will be removed from shelves. Below is the official statement from the company regarding the CPSC announcement:
“Today the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and EB Brands have issued a joint press release announcing a voluntary product recall regarding fitness balls produced by EB Brands. The purpose of this statement is to share some additional details not provided in the press release.
Since 2000, EB Brands has received 47 complaints of burst balls out of its 3 million fitness balls sold in the United States. After conducting research on the product, we concluded that bursting balls are likely caused by the consumer overinflating the ball before use. Even with a complaint rate of only 0.0016%, we voluntarily approached the CPSC in late 2008 to seek their advice and guidance.
The CPSC agreed with our findings and together we worked out a plan to warn consumers about the risk of overinflation and to help consumers inflate fitness balls to the proper size.
No product will be removed from retail shelves or pulled from the marketplace, as the CPSC did not recommend or require EB Brands or our retail partners to do so.
To ensure the safety of EB Brands customers, the following actions have been taken:
*Create and place a new sticker inside the product box and on the pump cautioning consumers about the risk of overinflation
*Revise inflation instructions included in the product package
*Make available a measuring tape for consumers to measure the size of inflated fitness balls – available by calling EB Brands or logging onto http://www.ebbrands.com
*Offer replacement balls or refunds to consumers whose balls have burst
*Distribute a letter and informational poster to each retailer that has carried EB Brand fitness balls
EB Brands takes the safety of our consumers seriously. We anticipate that these changes will further ensure the safe and effective use of inflatable fitness balls.”
Thanks for the additional info, Aaron! I still wonder why CPSC is calling this a “recall.”
Great question! It’s because in 2007 the CPSC changed their definitions for recalls to include products who just need to change user instructions, packaging, etc., and still not actually pull anything from shelves…