About 210,000 INIU Power Banks Recalled After Fires

Regulators and the vendor are recalling about 210,000 INIU 100,000mAh portable power banks, model BI B41, sold through Amazon after a string of overheating incidents that included multiple fires and a number of minor burn injuries. The recall, announced on December 8, 2025, targets products within specific serial number ranges and advises consumers to discontinue use immediately and verify whether their unit is included by consulting the manufacturer recall page.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and INIU instructed retailers to remove remaining inventory and to notify buyers of the recall. Affected owners are being offered refunds through the manufacturer. The agencies emphasized that lithium ion batteries must be disposed of at designated hazardous waste facilities in line with local rules rather than placed in regular trash, due to fire and environmental risks.

The recall comes at a sensitive moment in the consumer electronics market as year end travel and holiday charging needs boost demand for external battery packs. Portable power banks are a staple accessory, but the episodes underline the persistent safety challenges associated with lithium ion chemistry when cells or battery management systems fail. Reports of overheating and fires in devices from headphones to scooters have drawn sustained regulatory attention this year and risk undermining consumer confidence in lower cost third party power accessories.

From a market perspective the immediate costs fall on the manufacturer and retailers. The logistics of retrieving or refunding roughly 210,000 units and arranging safe disposal add direct outlays for collection and handling. Retailer reputational costs are also material, as consumers increasingly scrutinize safety certifications and supply chain transparency. For Amazon, which sold the devices, the episode highlights ongoing trade offs in marketplace curation and the monitoring of third party sellers. For INIU, the recall could depress sales in the near term and invite scrutiny from insurers and, potentially, product liability claims depending on further investigation outcomes.

Policy implications reach beyond this single recall. Regulators have limited windows to detect patterns in incidents that start as isolated reports. The recurrence of lithium ion failures strengthens arguments for tougher pre market testing standards, clearer labeling requirements, and faster mandatory reporting from sellers and logistics providers. It also intersects with transportation rules that restrict shipment of large capacity lithium ion batteries by air, a constraint that complicates recall logistics for high capacity units such as 100,000mAh packs.

For consumers the practical takeaway is immediate. Stop using the unit if you own an INIU 100,000mAh model BI B41, check the serial number against the manufacturer recall page, and follow directions to obtain a refund. Do not discard the battery in household waste. Instead, follow local guidance to take it to an approved hazardous waste facility to reduce fire risk and environmental harm.

As the holiday season accelerates purchases of mobile power gear, this recall is a reminder that convenience can carry safety trade offs and that regulators, manufacturers, and retailers will increasingly need to coordinate to manage those risks.