Consumers warned about potential risks associated with the use of Sunjel gel fuel

Starting date:

November 9, 2011

Posting date:

November 9, 2011

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Household Items

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Product Safety, Flammability Hazard

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-110004677

• Issue
• What you should do
• Who is affected
• Report health or safety concerns
• Related AWRs
• Media enquiries
• Public enquiries
• What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada is advising consumers about the potential risk associated with the use of Sunjel gel fuel.

Issue

Pourable gel fuels can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when they are poured into a firepot that is still burning or still hot. Gel fuels that splatter and ignite can pose fire and burn risks to consumers.

On September 1, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a press release announcing a voluntary recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by nine different companies, including Sunjel Company (2 Burn Inc.) of Milwaukee. Sunjel has not complied with Health Canada's request to voluntarily recall its product in Canada.

What you should do

Consumers should dispose of the product according to municipal hazardous waste guidelines.

Who is affected

Consumers who have purchased Sunjel pourable gel fuels for firepots are affected. These products may pose flammability and burn hazards to both children and adults.

Report health or safety concerns

How to report problems with consumer products:

Internet: Report an Incident Involving a Consumer Product
Phone: 1-866-662-0666 (calls will be routed to closest regional office)
Mail: Incident Report - Consumer Product Safety Directorate
Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0K9

Related AWRs

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada is advising consumers about the potential risks associated with the use of Sunjel gel fuel. The Department issued advisories in June and September 2011 regarding other similar gel fuel products, many of which have been voluntarily recalled.

Health Canada will take appropriate action should any additional gel fuel products be determined to pose a risk to consumers.

Health Canada is requesting any Canadian retailers and distributors of this product to immediately cease sale. Manufacturers, importers, distributors or retailers that become aware of incidents, including recalls initiated for human health or safety reasons by foreign entities, related to this or any consumer product that they supply are required to report the incident to Health Canada. You can also find guidance on the mandatory reporting of incidents at Health Canada's website.