Ingestion Injury Risk Triggers Recall of Cuisinart Grill Brushes 2026

Loose metal bristles that can lodge in food and cause serious internal injuries have prompted a Canadian recall of certain Cuisinart-branded grill brushes. Health Canada announced the action on September 1, 2026, warning that consumers who used the affected tools could unknowingly swallow a stray wire while eating grilled food.

The brushes were sold by Crate & Barrel Canada as part of two larger grill accessory sets, and were manufactured in China by Conair LLC. According to Health Canada, small wire bristles can detach from the brush head during use and stick to the grill grates or directly to food being cooked, creating a hidden ingestion hazard for anyone eating the meal.

Products Affected by This Recall

The recall covers two specific Cuisinart grill brush products, each identified by its own UPC and SKU:

• Cuisinart 20-Piece Grill Set (UPC 817096012967, SKU 520486) — includes a brush with a stainless steel handle, with ‘Cuisinart’ stamped on the brush handle.
• Cuisinart 10-Piece Grill Tools (UPC 890084002799, SKU 611997) — includes a brush with a wood handle, also stamped with the ‘Cuisinart’ name.

Health Canada says the affected sets were sold across Canada from December 2017 through March 2026, with roughly 679 units sold in the country during that period.

What Went Wrong?

The issue lies in the construction of the metal wire bristle heads themselves. Over time and with repeated use on hot grill surfaces, individual bristles can break away from the brush. Those detached wires may then transfer onto the grill grate or become embedded in food, where they are difficult to spot before a meal is served.

If ingested, a loose bristle can cause serious internal injuries, including cuts or punctures to the mouth, throat or digestive tract that may require surgery to correct. As of August 26, 2026, the company had not received any reports of incidents or injuries linked to the brushes in Canada, but the recall was issued as a precaution given the potential severity of harm.

Who Should Be Concerned

Anyone who purchased a Cuisinart 20-Piece Grill Set or Cuisinart 10-Piece Grill Tools set from Crate & Barrel Canada between December 2017 and March 2026 should check their kitchen or patio storage for the recalled brush. Households that regularly grill and may have used the brush to clean their grates are most directly affected, since worn bristles are more likely to have already broken off.

Steps Consumers Should Take

Health Canada and Crate & Barrel Canada are urging anyone with the recalled brush to act immediately rather than continue using it, even briefly.

• Stop using the recalled grill brush right away.
• Do not sell, redistribute or give away the product — this is prohibited under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.
• Contact Crate and Barrel Canada at 800-451-8217 to arrange a refund. Phone lines are open 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT on weekends.
• Alternatively, visit the company’s website for recall and refund instructions.
• Inspect grill grates and utensils for any loose bristles that may already have broken off before continuing to grill.

From the Agency

Health Canada reiterated that consumers who experience any health or safety issue connected to this or any other consumer product should file a report through the government’s Consumer Product Incident Report Form. The recall has also been posted to the OECD Global Portal on Product Recalls for international visibility. The recall’s official identification number is RA-82577.