Health Canada has issued a sweeping nationwide recall for a popular soap product manufactured by an Ontario company, citing a significant chemical hazard. The recall targets the "Shades of Grey" bar soap from Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co., based in Kenora, Ontario.
Details of the Nationwide Recall
The federal health regulator announced that approximately 400 units of the affected soap were sold across Canada between January 2019 and January 2026. The recalled products include bars in three sizes: 16 grams, 67 grams, and 135 grams.
Health Canada has added the soap to its official "Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist," a database of substances restricted or prohibited in cosmetics. The agency identified that the bars contain methyl eugenol "above the maximum concentration" permitted.
Understanding the Chemical Risk
Methyl eugenol is a chemical compound that Health Canada prohibits as a pure ingredient in cosmetics due to its potential carcinogenicity—meaning it has the potential to cause cancer. The chemical is, however, permitted as a naturally occurring component in certain botanical extracts, but only within strict, specified limits that vary by product type.
In this case, the levels found in the "Shades of Grey" soap exceeded those safe limits. As of January 7, 2026, neither the company nor Health Canada has received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the use of the soap.
Immediate Actions for Consumers
Health Canada's directive to the public is clear and urgent. "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products, dispose of them, and contact Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co. for a replacement," the agency stated.
The company has echoed this guidance on its own website, announcing a voluntary removal of the product from store shelves. Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co., which specializes in handcrafted, eco-friendly soaps and self-care items, explained that the recall stems from a recent update to Health Canada's cosmetic ingredient standards.
"This soap has been handcrafted and enjoyed for many years and was always fully compliant with Health Canada cosmetic ingredient and safety guidelines prior to this recent update," the company noted in its online statement. "We are sad to see Shades go, but we take compliance and transparency seriously."
The Kenora-based firm is offering customers an exchange. Consumers with a recalled bar are instructed to bring it to the company's store for a replacement product. For those unable to visit in person, the company can be reached via email at lakeofthewoodssoap@gmail.com or by phone at 1-807-464-0234 for further instructions.
This recall underscores the ongoing importance of regulatory oversight for consumer products and highlights the responsibility of manufacturers to adapt swiftly to evolving safety standards to protect public health.
