Five million appliances recalled from Walmart, Target and Costco, after reports of fires and lacerations

Nearly 5 million blenders are being recalled by popular retailers like Target and Walmart after people reported the appliances catching fire and the blades breaking off, injuring users.

BlendJet Inc. on Thursday issued a voluntary recall for 4.8 million of its BlendJet 2 portable blenders.

The California-based company has received 329 reports of blades breaking off during use and another 17 reports of the blenders overheating or catching fire, resulting in property damage claims of $150,000.

The company also received 49 reports of minor burns and one report of cuts.

The portable blenders are sold at Costco, Walmart, Target and other major retailers in the US, as well as online at the company's website.

The recall, called by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), also affects more than 110,000 products sold in Canada.

The California-based company has received 329 reports of blades breaking off during use

The affected devices were sold between October 2022 and November 2023 and cost between $50 and $75.

The company's portable blenders are compact, battery-powered blenders that allow users to blend smoothies or shakes on the go. The mixing cup also serves as a drinking cup.

The products are operated with a push button and charged via a USB cable.

In a statement, BlendJet Inc. said: “BlendJet created the portable blender category to enable consumers to make and consume healthy food on the go. We continue to adhere to strict quality and safety standards as we help our dedicated customers live longer, healthier lives.

“In the small number of cases referenced in BlendJet's joint recall with the CPSC, the performance of certain BlendJet 2 units did not meet the company's or our customers' expectations.

“While none of the reported incidents resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage, out of an abundance of caution, our company has updated the base of the BlendJet 2 with thicker blades and an improved electrical configuration.

“These updates were included many months ago in all BlendJet 2 devices manufactured by the company.”

Customers with the affected product should immediately stop using it and contact BlendJet, which will replace defective products with updated versions free of charge.

The portable blenders are compact, battery-powered devices that allow users to blend smoothies or shakes on the go

Although the company just issued a recall, Consumer Reports raised a red flag about the portable blenders in August.

Consumer Reports wanted to evaluate the blender this summer based on customer reviews and complaints filed with CPSC and the Better Business Bureau, which has received other reports of the blender's charging wire melting, the battery catching fire and the battery breaking down. knives.

CR subjected the product to durability testing and “the blender blade assembly completely broke off.”

In August, CR wrote that it was “advising consumers to exercise caution” when using the portable blender.

Ashita Kapoor, Associate Director of Product Safety at CR, said: “We are concerned about the number of complaints and severity of issues consumers are reporting about the BlendJet 2.

“Combined with what we've seen in our labs, the data has prompted us to ask the government to take a closer look at this product and advise consumers to be aware of the safety concerns that arise.”

Consumer Reports urged the CPSC to investigate the product's safety.

A CPSC spokesperson said at the time: “We are aware of reports of incidents involving this product. However, we cannot comment on investigation or enforcement.”

And a BlendJet spokesperson told Consumer Reports at the time that the devices were safe when used as intended.