McDonald's recalls millions of fitness trackers given away with Happy Meals after dozens of children injured

Fast-food chain received more than 70 complaints of skin irritation, blistering or burns after healthy living promotion in the US and Canada

McDonald's is recalling more than 30 million Step-It trackers given away with Happy Meals (AP)

It probably seemed a brilliant way to show that burgers could be part of an active, healthy lifestyle. Adding fitness trackers to children's Happy Meals at McDonald's would demonstrate that the fastfood chain took young people's health seriously.

Just one problem.

McDonald's has been forced to recall millions of the things after dozens of children suffered skin irritation or burns.

Last week the giant fast-food chain announced it would stop giving the bands away in its Happy Meals. Now it has gone one step further, recalling 29 million of them in the US, and another 3.6 million in Canada.

The company received more than 70 complaints after children wore the bands, including seven reports of blisters, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Step-It Fitness plastic wristbands, in blue, green, purple, orange and red, look like watches and are supposed to track physical activity.

Customers have been told to return the wristbands to McDonald's for a free replacement toy, and either a tub of yogurt tube or a bag of apple slices, the CPSC said. The wristbands, which were made in China and distributed exclusively by McDonald's, were sold between August 9 and August 17.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our customers which is why upon learning about concerns with these bands we acted swiftly to stop distribution of these products,” said Terri Hickey, a spokesperson for McDonald's.

The promotion had made waves even before the trouble began. It was seen as one of a number of steps taken to improve the company's reputation in relative to health eating. It has introduced salads to its stores and put fruit in its Happy Meals.

The company has also been running TV ads saying its Chicken McNuggets are now made without artificial preservatives.