IPAC Canada Alerts, Recalls and Advisories
Updates on product alerts, recalls, advisories from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada. Recalls and safety alerts are sent out when there is important information to share regarding products.
2022
- May 11: Plasma pens are not authorized in Canada and may pose health risks
- May 7: Eye Drops and Compliments Advanced Relief Eye Drops recalled because of a packaging error that may pose health risks
- May 5: Salmonella in various products (Canada-wide) RECALL
- May 2: Salmonella in poppy seeds (Canada-wide) RECAL
- Apr 29: Salmonella in poppy seeds (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Apr 29: Salmonella in various products (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Apr 28: Apotex recalls Apo-Acyclovir tablets due to a nitrosamine impurity
- Apr 22: Salmonella in poppy seeds (ON, SASK) RECALL
- Apr 21: Salmonella in poppy seeds (ON) RECALL
- Apr 21: Pfizer recalls Accupril blood pressure tablets due to a nitrosamine impurity
- Apr 20: Salmonella in poppy seeds (MN, NS, ON, QC, SASK) RECALL
- Apr 20: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Apr 19: Salmonella in poppy seeds (AB, BC, ON, QC, NB) RECALL
- Apr 14: Norovirus in oysters (AB, BC) RECALL
- Apr 12: Norovirus in oysters (BC, ON) RECALL
- Apr 11: Salmonella in organic blue poppy seeds (AB, BC, MN, NS, ON, QC, SASK) RECALL
- Apr 11: Salmonella in certain chocolate products (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Apr 8: Salmonella in voor nasi & bami goreng mix (AB) RECALL
- Apr 6: Salmonella in certain chocolate products (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Apr 6: Norovirus in oysters (BC) RECALL
- Apr 4: Listeria monocytogenes in enoki mushrooms (BC) RECALL
- Mar 31: Norovirus in oysters (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Mar 27: Norovirus in oysters (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Mar 20: Norovirus in oysters (AB, BC, ON, QC) RECALL
- Mar 16: Listeria monocytogenes in enoki mushrooms (BC) RECALL
- Mar 15: Sodium Acetate Injection, USP - Potential for the Presence of Particulate Matter
- Mar 9: 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP and Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP - Potential Leak During Pressure Infusion
- Mar 3: RUZURGI (amifampridine) - Removal from Canadian Market: Options for Continued Treatment for Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
- Mar 3: Ranitidine products recalled because of a nitrosamine impurity
- Mar 3: Pfizer recalls Accuretic blood pressure tablets due to a nitrosamine impurity
- Mar 1: Pfizer recalls Inderal-LA (propranolol hydrochloride) capsules due to a nitrosamine impurity
- Feb 24: Rapid antigen test kits and potential exposure to hazardous substances
- Feb 21: Health Canada warns about certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Feb 18: Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella in powdered infant formula products (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Feb 16: Baxter Corporation’s MiniCap Extended Life Peritoneal Dialysis Transfer Sets: Certain cleaning products, including hand sanitizers and solvents, may damage sets
- Feb 6: E. coli O157:H7 in kimchi (BC) RECALL
- Feb 3: BEOVU (brolucizumab) – Risk of Intraocular Inflammation, Retinal Vasculitis and/or Retinal Vascular Occlusion
- Jan 28: E. coli O157:H7 in kimchi (BC) RECALL
- Jan 26: Amitriptyline antidepressant drugs recalled because of a nitrosamine impurity
- Jan 24: Listeria monocytogenes in sandwiches (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Jan 18: Salmonella in halva with black seeds (ON) RECALL
- Jan 17: Important Safety Information on PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) Dosing and Dispensing in Renal Impairment, Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Drug Interactions, and English-Only Labels -Pfizer Canada UL
- Jan 17: Salmonella in tiger nuts (MB) RECALL
- Jan 12: XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) – Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Malignancy, Thrombosis and Infection
- Jan 11: Salmonella in ranch casserole (BC) RECALL
- Jan 10: Salmonella in tahineh (AB, ON, QC) RECALL
- Jan 10: Clostridium botulinum in surf clams (NB) RECALL
- Jan 7: Casirivimab and Imdevimab – High Risk of Treatment Failure Due to Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant
- Jan 7: Listeria monocytogenes in certain salad products (National) RECALL
Archived Alerts, Recalls and Advisories
2021
- Dec 31: Herberex may pose serious health risks; Health Canada suspends product licence
- Dec 21: Health Canada warns about certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks (Part 2 – March 31, 2021 to present)
- Dec 20: Expanded recall of medical devices manufactured by Eco-Med Pharmaceuticals due to potential contamination with Burkholderia stabilis
- Dec 20: Multiple cold and flu powdered medications, for adults and children 12 years of age and older, recalled due to potential health risk
- Nov 19: COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA, also referred to as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine): New Formulation for Use in Children Aged 5 Years to Less Than 12 Years
- Nov 24: FDA Recall: All ultrasound gels and lotions by Eco-Med Pharmaceutical
- Oct 19: Ivermectin not authorized to prevent or treat COVID-19; may cause serious health problems
- Oct 15: Ombrelle Garnier Complete Dry Mist Spray sunscreen recalled due to elevated benzene levels
- Oct 15: Multiple lots of irbesartan, losartan and valsartan drugs recalled
- Oct 9: Recall: One lot of Riva-Risperidone 0.25 mg tablets recalled due to a packaging error
- Oct 8: Health Canada warns about certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Oct 6: One lot of GENIUS Kids and Teens softgel capsules recalled due to possible bacterial contamination
- Oct 6: Two lots of Novo-Gesic Forte/Acetaminophen recalled due to labelling error that may lead to overdose and in the most severe cases, death
- Oct 5: Certain lots of Tinactin aerosol sprays for athlete’s foot recalled
- Oct 4: Authorization of Sotrovimab for Injection for Use in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Oct 3: Two lots of Advil Cold & Sinus Day/Night Convenience Pack recalled due to labelling error that may cause confusion between daytime and nighttime tablets
- Sept 30: One lot of Mirvala 28 birth control pill recalled
- Sept 23: Health Canada suspends licence and requested a recall for PURE75 gel hand sanitizer due to potential serious health risks
- Sept 23: BlackOxygen Organics recalls fulvic acid tablets and powder due to potential health risks
- Sept 16: Multiple lots of irbesartan, losartan and valsartan drugs recalled
- Aug 31: Ivermectin not authorized to prevent or treat COVID-19; may cause serious health problems
- Aug 24: Potential contamination of health products manufactured by Eco-Med Pharmaceuticals Inc. may pose health risks to Canadians
- Aug 24: One lot of pms-PROGESTERONE 100 mg capsules recalled because it may pose serious risks to individuals with severe peanut allergies
- Aug 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Aug 19: Important Safety Information on Ultrasound Gels and Lotions Manufactured by Eco-Med Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Potential Contamination with Burkholderia stabilis
- Aug 6: Health Canada updates Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine label to reflect very rare reports of Bell's Palsy
- Aug 13: Recall of EcoGel 200 Ultrasound Gel - MediChoice (M500812) –Contamination with Burkholderia stabilis
- Jul 30: Philips Respironics recalls several models of CPAP and BiLevel PAP machines and mechanical ventilators
- Jul 13: Update: Graphene face masks by Shandong Shengquan New Materials Co. Ltd. can resume sale in Canada; Health Canada found no health risks of concern with these
- Jul 12: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Jun 30: Health Canada updates Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine labels to include information on myocarditis and pericarditis
- Jun 29: AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Capillary Leak Syndrome
- Jun 24: Medtronic Heartware Ventricular Assist Device System - Recall Due to Risk of Neurological Adverse Events, Mortality and Delay or Failure to Restart
- Jun 22: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- May 10: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Apr 28: Bamlanivimab - Potential Risk of Treatment Failure Due to Circulation of Resistant SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Apr 26: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and the Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia
- Apr 26: Importation of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine with Two Types of English-only Vial and Carton Labels
- Apr 19: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Apr 14: Health Canada provides update on the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
- Apr 2: Face masks that contain graphene may pose health risks
- Mar 31: Importation of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels (US-Labelled Supply)
- Mar 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Mar 24: AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia
- Mar 19: Counterfeit 3M N95 respirators
- Mar 15: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Mar 11: Adverse events in Europe following immunization with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- Mar 8: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated Storage and Transportation Conditions
- Mar 8: Authorization of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels
- Feb 22: COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna: Updated English-only Global Vial and Carton Labels and Post-Market Adverse Reaction Information
- Feb 17: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Feb 9: Important Safety Information on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated Dosage and Administration and Post-Market Adverse Reaction Information - Pfizer Canada ULC
- Feb 8: Unauthorized hand sanitizers and hard surface disinfectants sold by Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. may pose health risks
- Feb 3: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Jan 29: Testing confirms Bio Life hand sanitizer poses health risks; products recalled across Canada
- Jan 22: Hand sanitizers labelled as "Anti-Microbe" and/or with DIN 02248351 recalled because they may pose health risks, particularly to children
2020
- Dec 23: Authorization of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels
- Dec 22: Personal protective equipment sold by Maskopia (formerly Medkem Canada Inc.) may pose serious health risks
- Dec 16: Health Canada warns Canadians not to buy COVID-19 vaccines sold online or from unauthorized sources
- Dec 12: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Health Canada recommendations for people with serious allergies
- Dec 11: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Nov 18: Ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands falsely claiming to disinfect against COVID-19
- Nov 13: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Nov 2: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Oct 28: Recall of Daily Shield Hand Sanitizers across Canada
- Oct 19: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Oct 18: Counterfeit Daily Shield Hand Sanitizer
- Oct 13: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Oct 1: Recall of counterfeit Zytec Germ Buster Hand Sanitizer
- Sep 28: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Sep 15: Importation of US Clinical Trial-Labelled Remdesivir for Injection Due to Shortage of Canadian-Labelled Remdesivir
- Sep 14: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Sep 4: Advisory on hand sanitizers and children’s safety: What you need to know
- Sep 4: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Aug 21: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that contain technical-grade ethanol
- Jul 28: Remdesivir authorized with conditions for the treatment of patients in Canada with severe COVID-19 symptoms
- Jul 21: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Jul 6: Counterfeit respirators
- Jun 30: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Jun 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that contain technical-grade ethanol
- Jun 10: Risk of poisoning from hand sanitizers sold in beverage containers
- Jun 6: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
- Jun 1: Health Canada advises Canadians to help support the continued supply of medications
- May 27: Consumers advised to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes
- May 27: Some units of Triton Hand Sanitizer containing technical-grade ethanol sold in Canada without the necessary risk information
- May 25: Importation of US-Labelled Rocuronium Bromide Injection distributed by Avir Pharma Inc. Due to Shortage of Canadian-labelled Rocuronium
- May 19: Importation of Fresenius Propoven 2% due to Shortage of Canadian Labelled Propofol Injection 1% Products
- May 19: Importation of Spanish-Labelled Salbutamol Aldo-Union inhalers due to Shortage of Canadian-Labelled Salbutamol
- May 13: Important Safety Information - Importation of Teva UK-labelled Salamol CFC-Free (Salbutamol Sulfate) Inhaler due to Shortage
- May 11: Important safety information for certain respirator masks
- May 7: Unauthorized test kits claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 put your health at risk
- May 6: Importation of US-Labelled Ketamine Hydrochloride for Injection due to Potential Shortage of Canadian-labelled Ketamine
- May 1: Clinical trial looking at the potential use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19
- Apr 25: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can have serious side effects. These drugs should be used only under the supervision of a physician
- Apr 17: Shortage of salbutamol inhalers in Canada
- Apr 15: Health Canada is temporarily authorizing the use of technical-grade ethanol in hand sanitizer products: Always follow the label directions when using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Apr 14: Fraudulent and unauthorized N95 respirators may not protect consumers against COVID-19
- Apr 2: Homemade hand sanitizers may present health risks
2019
- May 30: Alaris Infusion Sets and Alaris 8100 Pump Module - Risk of Over-Infusion RECALL
- May 6: Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons (PCB) and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents (PES) for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and the Potential Risk of Long-Term All-Cause Mortality -RECALLL
2018
- Sept 26: CDC message regarding Ebola outbreak in DRC
Due to the current Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and this year’s earlier outbreak in western DRC, the CDC is reminding healthcare facilities to remain aware of the possibility of imported cases of viral hemorrhagic fevers or other infections in returning travelers. For more information or resources regarding Ebola from the CDC, please click this link.
- Sep 23: Possible bacterial contamination in formulated liquid diet (Canada-wide) RECALL
2017
- Feb 17: Mycobacterium chimaerainfections in 3T heater-cooler devices (3T HCDs)
2016
- Oct 21: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in heater-cooler devices used in cardiothoracic surgery
- Sep 1: Burkholderia cepacia in dimethicone and chlorhexidine gluconate wipes (international) RECALL
- Jun 6: National shortage of Benzathine Penicillin G (Bicillin L-A) (Canada-wide)
- Mar 24: Microbial contamination of hydrocortisone cream
2015
- Jun 20: Possible bacterial contamination of Sodium Bicarbonate Liquid Concentrate (dialysis)
2012
- Nov 2: Potential microbiological contamination of Infanrix Hexa Vaccine - RECALL
- Oct 15: Pseudomonas aeruginosa in foaming hand soap (triclosan 0.3%) - RECALL
- Oct 4: Vi Polysaccharide Typhoid Vaccine Batches with Potentially Lower than Expected Antigen Content (Canada-wide) RECALL
- Sep 10: Unlicensed HIV Home Test Kit: CuraHerbDistributor test kit for urine, saliva, blood
- Jun 28: Burkholderia cepacia in hand sanitizer (Canada-wide) RECALL
2011
- Sep 12: Unlicensed HIV Home Test Kit: Accu-HIV 1 & 2 Saliva Test
- May 20: Chronobacter in Docusate Sodium Capsules (Canada-wide) - RECALL
- Apr 29: Bacillus cereus and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica in health products - RECALL
- Apr 13: Contaminated alcohol prep pads in RUSCH Irrigation Trays
- Feb 17: RECALL of lubricating jelly products(Canada-wide)
- Jan 11: Urgent RECALL of alcohol swabs(Canada-wide)
2010
- Oct. 29: Paecilomyces in hydrocortisone lotion
- May 7: Contaminated Rotavirus Vaccine
2009
- Dec. 29: Recall for Infection: Carmustine
- Sep. 25: Potential medication errors with liquid tamiflu
- Jul. 9: Fever following GI endoscopy - investigation - Information not currently available
- Mar. 25: Health Canada: Blood lancing devices
2008
- Nov. 6: PHAC alert: Re-use of syringes
2007
- Dec. 11: Important information regarding lancing devices
- Feb. 27: Important alert from the CSA regarding problems with process monitors for extended steam sterilization.
2006
- Nov. 29: Disinfection of glucose meters: alert from Roche
- Jun. 23: Perineal Care Washcloths Contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia
- Jun. 19: Reprocessing of Reusable Ultrasound Transducers Used for Biopsy
- May 19: Bacterial Contamination of Insulin Syringes (Paenibacillus)
- Apr. 11: Fungal Contamination of Contact Lens Solution (Fusarium)
- Jan 31: Blood Lancing Devices and Bloodborne Diseases
- Jan 30: Contamination of Respiratory Gas Humidifiers with Ralstonia
2005
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Nov. 18: Contamination Risk With Eye Drops
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Nov. 18: Contamination Risk With Eye Gel
- Sep. 20: Contamination Risk With Surgical Handpieces
- Mar. 18: Serratia in Contaminated Magnesium Sulfate Solutions
- Feb. 4: Pseudomonas in IV Catheter Flushes
2004
- Dec. 23: Recall on Artificial Tears Extract due to Bacterial Contamination
- Dec. 16: Risk of Serious Infection From Ultrasound and Medical Gels: Revision
- Oct. 20: Risk of Serious Infection From Ultrasound and Medical Gels
- Aug. 27: Nosocomial Burkholderia cepacia Infections Associated with Exposure to Sublingual Probes
- Jun. 14: Health Canada alert to hospitals regarding potential for cross contamination during dialysis
- Apr. 21: Health Canada alert to hospitals regarding acetabular reamers
- Apr. 16: Health Canada risk assessment for acetabular reamers
