Health Product Recalls in Canada
Health products include medications, vitamins, natural health products, and cosmetics. Learn how to identify recalled products and what to do if you're affected.
What's Covered by Health Product Recalls
Health Canada issues recalls for a wide range of products that can affect your health:
Pharmaceutical Drugs
- • Prescription medications
- • Over-the-counter drugs
- • Generic medications
Natural Health Products
- • Vitamins and minerals
- • Herbal remedies
- • Supplements
Cosmetics & Personal Care
- • Skincare products
- • Sunscreens
- • Hair products
Medical Devices (separate category)
- • Home-use devices
- • Testing kits
- • View medical device recalls
Understanding DINs and NPNs
Health products in Canada have unique identification numbers that help you verify if your specific product is recalled:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)
An 8-digit number assigned to all prescription and over-the-counter drugs sold in Canada. A DIN confirms the product has been reviewed and authorized for sale.
Example: DIN 02345678
NPN (Natural Product Number)
An 8-digit number assigned to natural health products like vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. An NPN means the product is licensed for sale.
Example: NPN 80012345
Where to Find These Numbers
- On the product label or packaging
- Usually near the product name or on the back of the box
- On prescription labels from your pharmacy
- Listed in the Drug Product Database or Licensed Natural Health Products Database
Checking for Health Product Recalls
To check if your health product is recalled:
- 1Find the product identifiers
Note the DIN or NPN, lot number, and expiry date from your product.
- 2Search for recalls
Search health product recalls on Recall Guide or the official Health Canada site .
- 3Compare the details
Match your product's DIN/NPN, lot number, and expiry to the recall notice.
- 4Ask your pharmacist
Pharmacists can check if any of your medications are affected by current recalls.
What to Do with Recalled Health Products
If you have a recalled health product:
- Stop using it (but see medication note below)
- Return it to your pharmacy or the store for a refund
- Contact the manufacturer if return isn't possible
- Ask your pharmacist about alternatives if you need the medication
Special Considerations for Medications
Important Warning
Do not stop taking prescription medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.Some medications can be dangerous to stop suddenly. Your healthcare provider can help you find a safe alternative.
When a medication is recalled:
- Read the recall notice carefully—it may only affect certain lot numbers
- Contact your pharmacist to discuss options
- Your pharmacy may be able to replace it with an unaffected lot or equivalent
- For essential medications, continue taking until you have a replacement
- Report any adverse effects to your doctor and to Health Canada
Why Health Products Are Recalled
Common reasons include:
- Contamination during manufacturing
- Incorrect potency (too strong or too weak)
- Stability issues (product degrades faster than expected)
- Mislabelling or packaging errors
- Presence of undeclared ingredients
- Manufacturing defects