How Product Recalls Work in Canada

Product recalls are an essential part of consumer protection in Canada. Understanding how they work helps you respond appropriately and know your rights.

What Is a Product Recall?

A product recall is an official request to return a product after discovering safety issues or defects that could harm consumers. Recalls are initiated when a product poses an unreasonable risk of injury, illness, or death.

In Canada, recalls can be:

Voluntary – The manufacturer or importer voluntarily removes products
Mandatory – Ordered by a government agency when a company doesn't act voluntarily

Most recalls in Canada are voluntary, as companies want to protect consumers and their reputation. However, federal agencies have the authority to order mandatory recalls when necessary.

Which Agencies Issue Recalls in Canada?

Three main federal agencies handle product recalls in Canada, each responsible for different product types:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Responsible for all food recalls in Canada, including issues related to contamination (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli), undeclared allergens, foreign objects, and incorrect labelling.

View food recalls →

Health Canada

Handles recalls for consumer products (toys, electronics, furniture), health products (medications, vitamins, cosmetics), and medical devices (implants, equipment).

Consumer products →Health products →Medical devices →

Transport Canada

Manages vehicle recalls including cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, tires, and child car seats. Vehicle manufacturers must fix safety defects at no cost to owners.

View vehicle recalls →

How Safety Issues Are Discovered

Safety problems that lead to recalls are discovered through various channels:

Company testing – Manufacturers discover issues during quality control
Consumer complaints – Reports from people who experienced problems
Government testing – Agencies conduct their own product testing
Injury reports – Hospital emergency room data and incident reports
International alerts – Recalls in other countries may prompt Canadian reviews

You can report unsafe products to Health Canada by calling 1-866-662-0666 or through theironline reporting system .

The Recall Process

When a safety issue is identified, here's what typically happens:

1
Issue Identified
A safety problem is discovered and reported to the manufacturer or agency.
2
Risk Assessment
The severity and scope of the hazard is evaluated.
3
Recall Decision
The company initiates a voluntary recall or the agency orders a mandatory one.
4
Public Notification
Recall notices are published and retailers are notified to remove products.
5
Consumer Action
Consumers stop using the product and obtain refunds, repairs, or replacements.

Your Rights as a Consumer

When a product you own is recalled, you have the right to:

Be informed – Companies must make reasonable efforts to notify affected consumers
Receive a remedy – You're entitled to a refund, replacement, or repair at no cost
Get free repairs – For vehicles, all recall repairs must be free regardless of warranty status
No expiry on rights – You can often get remedies even years after a recall is issued

If a company refuses to provide the recall remedy, you can file a complaint with the relevant federal agency or your provincial consumer protection office.