Button Battery Safety: Health Canada Consults

Health Canada has launched a public consultation regarding products containing button or coin batteries, as well as the packaging of these batteries. These products have been added to Table 2 of the General Prohibitions process, which identifies hazards associated with classes of consumer products that have undergone an assessment for potential danger to human health or safety.

At this stage, this proposal does not ban button or coin batteries or their packaging. Many products currently available on the market already meet the proposed safety criteria and would continue to be sold. Only products that fail to meet these criteria could be affected, pending the outcome of the consultation.

Health Canada is inviting stakeholders to submit comments on the danger to human health or safety assessment. Feedback received during the consultation will be considered when determining whether non-compliant products pose a danger to human health or safety.

What Happens After the Consultation?

Once the comment period concludes on January 22, 2026, Health Canada may determine that the identified hazard constitutes a danger to human health or safety. If so, products containing button or coin batteries—and their packaging—may be added to Table 3 of the General Prohibitions process.

If there is insufficient evidence to support such a conclusion, the assessment will remain in the “Closed for Comment” section of Table 2 and be labelled as not currently under consideration for Table 3. Health Canada will continue to monitor the hazard.

Why Is Health Canada Concerned?

Button and coin battery ingestion presents serious health risks. When swallowed, these batteries can become lodged in the esophagus, stomach, or gastrointestinal tract. Contact with saliva and bodily tissue may create an electrical current that triggers a chemical reaction, causing severe burns. Batteries can also corrode or rupture when exposed to moisture and stomach acid, releasing harmful chemicals into the body.

These injuries can develop rapidly and, in severe cases, be fatal within as little as two hours without immediate medical intervention.

There is also a choking risk if a battery blocks the airway. In other incidents, batteries have been inserted into a child’s ear or nostril, causing burns, infections, and potentially permanent damage to hearing, breathing, or the sense of smell.

The Numbers Behind the Risk

Between June 2011 and June 2025, Health Canada received 41 incident reports involving button or coin batteries from consumer products. Outcomes ranged from near-miss or no injury to four reported deaths. While the sources of the batteries varied, most incidents involved toys.

These figures reflect only reported cases and likely underestimate the true scope of risk, particularly from uncertified, poorly designed, or inadequately manufactured products.

Children under three years of age are especially vulnerable due to normal mouthing behavior and an inability to recognize hazards. Button and coin batteries are small, shiny, and round—features that naturally attract young children.

To a lesser extent, incidents have also occurred among adults and older adults, often due to confusing loose batteries with medication.

Have Your Say

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full consultation paper and provide feedback on the proposed regulatory initiative.

Consultation Period:

Opened: November 24, 2025
Closes: January 22, 2026 (60 days)

How to Participate:

Submit comments by email to [email protected]

Questions?

Health Canada Consumer Product Safety

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.)

Stay ahead of evolving battery safety expectations.

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