Inventors offer Kickstarter backers a first go at vibrating fork meant to combat overeating

An electronic fork that vibrates when you eat too fast went on sale Wednesday on Kickstarter, with its French inventors claiming it can help combat obesity and digestive issues.

Those who contribute at least $89 on the crowd funding website will get a HAPIfork, which comes in blue, green and pink, ahead of its planned general release to consumers in the United States and Europe later this year.

"While our product is still a prototype, we're thrilled by the global response so far," said Fabrice Boutain, founder of the product's California-based developer HAPILABS, in a statement.

"We believe this is affirmation of the growing consumer health awareness movement to gain better control of issues impacting weight and digestive issues as well as more serious issues such as diabetes and other chronic conditions."

First shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, the HAPIfork -- the brainchild of French inventor Jacques Lepine -- is based on research that suggests people living in a fast-paced world can lose weight by eating more slowly.

The gadget, which is dishwasher safe, includes LED warning lights, a USB connector and software for computers and smartphones enabling users to monitor their progress towards a healthier pace of eating.