Product Recalls

Why product recalls matter

Product recalls exist to protect you from items that pose safety risks: fire hazards, electrical shocks, choking dangers, chemical exposure, or structural failures. Every year, hundreds of consumer products are recalled in Canada and the United States after post-market surveillance or consumer reports reveal defects that were not caught during manufacturing.

In Canada, Health Canada oversees consumer product recalls under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. When a product is found to be unsafe, Health Canada works with the manufacturer to issue a public notice, arrange remedies (repairs, replacements, or refunds), and in serious cases, order a mandatory recall. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) performs a similar role, and because many products are sold in both countries, a recall in one market often triggers action in the other.

Knowing whether your product has been recalled is especially important if you plan to repair it. A recalled item may have a fundamental design flaw that a standard repair cannot address. In some cases, manufacturers offer free repairs or replacements as part of the recall remedy, saving you the cost entirely. Before you spend money fixing something, it is worth checking here first.

If you discover that a product you own has been recalled, stop using it immediately and follow the remedy instructions in the recall notice. Contact the manufacturer directly for replacement parts, a refund, or a repaired unit. Keep the recalled item away from children and pets until the issue is resolved. You can also report unsafe products directly to Health Canada or the CPSC if you believe a product should be investigated.