Soap Recalled in Canada: 2026 Recall List & Safety Guide

Finding a bar of soap made in your hometown on a recall list is unsettling. Two Canadian artisan soap makers have been flagged by Health Canada for safety violations, and the details matter if you bought one. This article breaks down what was recalled, why, and how to protect yourself and your family.

Recalled soap brands: 2 ·
Units of Shades of Grey soap sold: 400 ·
Recalls issued by: Health Canada

Key details across both recalls reveal a pattern: small‑batch makers sometimes miss regulatory limits on ingredients. The table below summarizes the core facts for the two affected brands.

Which soaps have been recalled in Canada recently?

Shades of Grey bars from Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co.

• Product: Shades of Grey bar soap in sizes 16 g, 67 g, and 135 g (NWONewsWatch (local Kenora outlet)).
• Manufactured in Canada and sold from January 2019 through January 2026, approximately 400 units in total (Health Canada).
• Health Canada’s sampling program detected the violation, prompting a Class II recall (moderate risk).

The catch: a locally beloved soap turned into a health risk, yet no injuries have been reported. The company has offered refunds via email (lakeofthewoodssoap@gmail.com) or phone (1‑807‑464‑0234).

Patchwork and Pine Inc. lip balm and artisan soap

• Product: artisan soap and lip balm (Health Canada recall notice).
• Reason: the products contain ingredients not allowed in cosmetics under Canadian regulations.
• No specific unit count was published, but consumers are urged to stop using them immediately.

What this means: even small batches can trigger a full recall if the formula uses a prohibited substance. Both recalls underscore the gap between artisan creativity and Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.

Why were these soaps recalled?

Chemical hazard in Shades of Grey soap

• The soap contains methyl eugenol above the maximum allowed concentration (Health Canada).
• Methyl eugenol is a naturally occurring substance found in some essential oils, but it is classified as a potential carcinogen when used as a pure ingredient. Canadian rules permit it only in botanical extracts up to a strict limit.
• The product failed the limit after Health Canada’s sampling and evaluation program.

The implication: a single batch that uses too much clove oil or similar botanical can land a maker on a national recall list.

Prohibited ingredients in Patchwork and Pine products

• The company used substances that are outright banned in cosmetics under the Cosmetic Regulations (Health Canada).
• Health Canada advises immediate discontinuation of use.

Why this matters: the prohibition list exists precisely because these ingredients pose avoidable health risks. Consumers who bought these products have been exposed to chemicals that regulators say are unsafe.

What should you do if you have recalled soap?

If you own any of the recalled products, follow these steps:

1. Stop using the product immediately: Health Canada instructs all consumers to stop using the recalled soaps and lip balm right away. Continuing use can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, or long-term exposure risks.
2. Dispose of the soap safely: Wrap the product in a sealed bag and throw it in the household waste. Do not rinse it down the drain — leftover chemicals can contaminate water.
3. Contact the company for a refund: Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co. offers a refund. Email lakeofthewoodssoap@gmail.com or call 1‑807‑464‑0234 (Wed‑Fri 12‑5 pm, Sat 12‑4 pm CST). Patchwork and Pine customers should check the company’s website for refund instructions.
4. Monitor for symptoms if already used: If you or a family member develop a rash, irritation, or any unusual reaction after using the soap, consult a healthcare professional. Report adverse events to Health Canada via their incident reporting portal.

The trade‑off: acting now costs a few minutes; delaying could mean unnecessary health impact.

How can you stay informed about future recalls?

Subscribe to Health Canada recall alerts

The agency provides free email notifications for new recalls in cosmetics, food, vehicles, and consumer products. Sign up to get alerts the same day a recall is published.

Visit recalls‑rappels.canada.ca regularly

This is the single authoritative source for all Canadian recalls. Bookmark it and check it monthly, especially if you buy local artisan cosmetics.

Follow major news outlets for recall coverage

CTV News and local papers like NWONewsWatch often report high‑profile recalls quickly. For example, CTV covered the Shades of Grey recall within two days of the Health Canada posting.

The pattern: proactive consumers who check multiple channels catch recall news fastest. Don’t rely on word of mouth alone.

What is Health Canada doing about soap safety?

Sampling and evaluation program

The agency proactively tests products on the market, not just those reported by companies. The Shades of Grey recall originated from a routine sampling program (Health Canada).

Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist enforcement

Canada maintains a list of ingredients that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetics. Artisan makers must comply just like large manufacturers. The Patchwork and Pine recall shows that enforcement extends to small local businesses.

The editorial judgment: these two recalls are a wake‑up call for the booming artisan soap industry. Without mandatory pre‑market approval, the burden is on makers to know the rules — and on buyers to stay alert.

Quotes from the companies and regulators

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products and dispose of them. Contact the company for a refund.”

— Health Canada (federal health regulator)

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact us at lakeofthewoodssoap@gmail.com for a full refund.”

— Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co. statement in recall notice

For anyone who bought a soap from Kenora or a Patchwork product, the decision is straightforward: stop using it and request a refund. The broader consequence for the artisan soap industry is increased scrutiny and potentially more recalls as Health Canada continues its sampling drive.

Frequently asked questions

For Canadian consumers, the choice is simple: check your bathroom shelves, then act. Either you toss the soap and get your money back, or you keep a product that regulators say poses a chemical risk. The 400 units sold are small in number, but the principle is large – safety doesn’t stop at the village borders.

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