Why Product Recalls Matter More Than Ever

You’re shopping online and you decide to order a new toy for your little one. Months later, you discover that it's been recalled. What do you do now? A product recall may be something you glance over at first, but as parents, it's important to keep updated about the everyday products that may be unsafe or even dangerous to your family.

With the recent decline in U.S. oversight and the discontinuation of initiatives like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, more pressure is now on Health Canada to be the frontline of protection. 

This article will break down Health Canada’s role in evaluating products, explain how Canadian recalls work and provide ways to stay ahead of product risks.

Why recalls matter more now

It’s easy to assume that if a product is sold at a store or online, it’s completely safe. However, this isn’t always true. For example, lead exposure, choking risks and entrapment hazards are just some of the reasons why toys, food and baby gear are recalled.

While Canada has a reliable system to identify and protect the public against recalled items, awareness and access still remain challenges. “We have to understand that most parents and most people in Canada believe that if a product is available for sale, it is safe or it's been tested for safety. And that's not always the case,” says Pamela Fuselli, the president and CEO of the national injury prevention charity, Parachute Canada.

Public health educator and board member of the Harvard Health Lab, Dr. Farah Shroff, adds that the “post-pandemic reality” of online shopping has made it more difficult for health regulators. “A lot of parents are buying things online. So that means that they might be buying things that come from other countries,” she says. “It gives Health Canada and regulators in Canada less control and less levers for protecting parents.”

Shroff says that the decline in consumer protection in the U.S. could also pose extra challenges for Canada. “If things that are made in the U.S. aren't made with safety and care and regulatory compliance, and we buy those things, which we typically do, because Canada relies so much on the United States, this is going to have a potentially serious impact,” she says.

How product recalls are triggered in Canada

What is a product recall?

You may have heard of cases where a company pulls a product from store shelves or stops selling an item on their website due to safety concerns. According to Health Canada, a product recall is any corrective action taken to address consumer health and safety issues with a product.

The recall process generally includes stopping all manufacturing, importing, distributing, advertising and selling of the affected products, as well as informing consumers about the potential risks. There are two different types of product recalls:

• Voluntary recalls: The company of the product agrees to carry out the recall.
• Mandatory recalls: Health Canada orders the company of the product to carry out the recall, even if they refuse.

How do product recalls work in Canada?

Recalls can be initiated by manufacturers, Health Canada, or based on consumer reports. The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is the legal foundation that helps to protect the public against products that can be dangerous or pose a health risk, including toys and some children’s items.

“Under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, we have various regulations. So we have regulations for strollers, cribs, cradles, bassinets and toys as well,” says Health Canada consumer product safety officer, Alvin Munian. “And so they need to meet specific requirements.”

What Health Canada actually does

Monitoring risks

Canada Consumer Product Safety (CCPS) may learn about health or safety issues through consumer or industry-reported incidents, emerging research, recalls from other regulators and their own inspections and testing.

Controlling the product

Once the company agrees to do a recall, the next step is product control. This means that manufacturing, importing, selling and advertising the recalled product must come to a stop.

Creating an action plan

Afterwards, Health Canada develops a corrective action plan. Here are some of the ways you may be instructed to deal with the product based on the severity of the issue:

• Product correction, such as a repair or fix, to eliminate the hazard.
• Product replacement for a similar product of similar value.
• Product disposal in a safe and specific way.
• Product refund or another form of compensation.

Assessing timelines

Wonder how Health Canada decides when to inform the public about a recall? Well, timelines are often determined by the product’s risk level. According to Health Canada, a “serious” danger is anything that could result in death or a severe injury. 

• Level one: The danger is serious and imminent, and the public is informed within two business days.
• Level two: The danger is serious but not imminent, and the public is informed within 10 business days.
• Level three: The danger is not serious, and the public is informed within 40 business days.

Informing the public

Once Health Canada identifies the recall level and timeline, the company is responsible for notifying its supply chain and consumers. Health Canada also alerts the public, and CCPS continues to monitor the recall. 

What to do if a product you own is recalled

Find out that a product in your home has been recalled? Here are the steps to keep your family safe.

1. Stop using the product: Discontinue using the product immediately, especially in cases of choking, fire or toxicity.
2. Check the official recall notice: Review the official recall notice for next steps. Do not throw the item away unless directed.
3. Follow Health Canada’s guidance: Turn to the manufacturer or Health Canada for guidance on refunds, repair kits, or disposal.

Report faulty products to help other families stay safe

If you suspect a product should be recalled but hasn’t been, report the incident to Health Canada. Sharing this information can help them stop similar incidents from impacting other children and families. 

Fuselli encourages parents to report issues with a product, whether it results in an injury or not. “The only way that Health Canada finds out that there's an issue with the product is if the manufacturer is contacted and finds out about it, or if they themselves are contacted,” she says. “So, you know, parents have a really important role to play, because they're the ones actually using these products in their homes.”

How to stay informed without constantly searching

As a parent, there’s already a lot of information to keep up with. Plus, a busy routine can make constantly searching for recalls online feel even more time-consuming. Instead, sign up for Health Canada’s consumer recall alerts to receive notifications for new and updated recalls by category.

Another great tool is Today’s Parent’s new curated recall alert system. Our product recall category provides timely alerts and essential information on recalled items to help you prioritize safety for yourself and your family. 

Planning for safety at home

Do a home safety scan

Check your home for any products that may look unsafe. Pay extra attention to products that are more likely to be recalled, such as baby swings, high chairs, infant formula and wooden toys. “Inspect your products regularly for wear damage and missing parts, even if they haven't been recalled,” says Shroff.

Keep the original packaging

It may be second nature to just throw out the packaging of a product immediately. However, when possible, keep the original packaging and receipts of your products. It helps in processing recalls.

Register and track your products

Shroff encourages parents to register new and larger products online to get notified about possible recalls. Fuselli also suggests parents fill in the warranty cards that come with some products. “That's one way that manufacturers reach out to purchasers about any recalls or issues with the product,” she adds. 

Research when buying secondhand

Fuselli advises parents to make sure that anything they buy, especially secondhand products, are in good working condition. “Certainly be cautious when you're buying, accepting, sharing secondhand products, because you know, if they've had a recall, it's not obvious,” she says.

Why is this a parenting essential in 2025?

While recalls may seem like just “background news,” they are a key part of making sure you're prepared as a parent. Especially with consumer protection changes across the border and the popularity of online shopping, parents are now the frontline safety monitors in their own homes.

“We are asking parents to do a lot of the due diligence here,” says Shroff. “It's not to give parents a sense of fear…but it is important to know that babies are more vulnerable.”

Experts 

• Pamela Fuselli is the president and CEO of the national injury prevention charity, Parachute Canada.
• Dr. Farah Shroff is a public health educator and board member of the Harvard Health Lab. 
• Alvin Munian is a consumer product safety officer at Health Canada.