OTTAWA — Health Canada has established testing and labelling standards for barbecue brushes following incidents where wire bristles were ingested by consumers. The department says it received 59 reports of such incidents over a six-year period, including 48 injuries. The Retail Council of Canada has welcomed the voluntary standard, designed by the Canadian Standards Association, while consumer advocates fear it won’t be enough to prevent injuries.
“Health Canada will continue its safety awareness campaigns through its social media channels,” a spokesperson wrote to CBC News by email, “reminding Canadians to replace metal bristle barbecue brushes every season, to regularly inspect brushes for signs of damage, to inspect grills and barbecued food for loose bristles.”
