Fitness Ball Recall: Risk that Balls May Burst Unexpectedly

About 3 million fitness balls sold under the brand names Everlast, Bally Total Fitness, Valeo and Body Fit have been recalled because they could unexpectedly burst while being used, causing the user to fall to the floor and sustain a potentially serious injury.

The fitness ball recall was issued by EB Brands and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on April 16, 2009, for 55cm, 65cm and 75cm diameter sizes.

At least 47 incidents have been reported where the fitness balls have burst unexpectedly, resulting in bruising and at least one report of a fracture.

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Although the packaging indicates that the fitness balls are “burst-resistant”, overinflating the balls could make them prone to pop under the weight of users, who typically use the balls to perform sit ups and other exercises.

The recalled fitness balls were sold between May 2000 and February 2009 for between $15 and $30. They were available in various colors with Bally Total Fitness, Everlast or Valeo printed on the ball.

Consumers have been asked to contact EB Brands at (800) 624-5671 or visit their website www.ebbrands.com, for updated instructions on how to safely inflate the fitness balls.

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2 Comments

  • AnnApril 18, 2009 at 1:37 am

    Is the Gaiam ball included in this recall?

  • AaronApril 17, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    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[Show More]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 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.”

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