People in Canada who keep acetaminophen at home for headaches, fever or everyday aches are being urged to check their medicine cabinets after a batch of Novo-Gesic Forte 500 mg tablets was recalled over a possible contamination risk.

Health Canada issued the nationwide recall on September 10 after Teva Canada Limited identified the possibility that one lot of the non-prescription painkiller could contain phenolic resin or epoxy. If swallowed, these materials could cause injury to the digestive system, according to the regulator.

The recall affects only one identified lot of Novo-Gesic Forte 500 mg acetaminophen tablets. The affected product has the DIN 00482323, lot number 100083040 and an expiry date of January 31, 2029. Health Canada has classified the issue as both a product-quality and contamination concern.

The warning is particularly relevant because acetaminophen is a medicine many people use without thinking twice. It is commonly taken to temporarily reduce fever or relieve mild to moderate pain, meaning bottles or loose tablets may be sitting in medicine cabinets across Canadian homes.

The affected Novo-Gesic Forte was supplied to pharmacies in bottles containing 1,000 tablets. Pharmacies then dispensed the medicine to patients in smaller quantities. As a result, some people may not have the original bottle available to check the lot number.

Health Canada is therefore asking consumers not to guess whether their tablets are affected. Anyone who is unsure should contact their pharmacy and have the product checked.

People who do have the recalled lot should stop taking it immediately and return it to the pharmacy where it was purchased. The pharmacy can arrange a replacement and ensure the recalled tablets are disposed of properly.

The recall does not apply to every Novo-Gesic Forte product or every acetaminophen tablet sold in Canada. The current warning is specifically linked to lot 100083040.

That distinction is important because acetaminophen is available under numerous brands and in different strengths. Consumers should not assume that other acetaminophen products have been recalled simply because one lot of Novo-Gesic Forte is affected.

Health Canada said it is monitoring Teva Canada’s response to the recall, including the company’s preventive and corrective measures. The regulator said it will take further action and inform Canadians if additional safety concerns emerge.

Teva Canada has also provided a customer-care contact for people who have questions about the recall. Consumers who have taken the affected product and are worried about their health have been advised to speak with a healthcare professional.

The potential contamination is not related to the pain-relieving ingredient itself. The concern is the possible presence of phenolic resin or epoxy in the affected tablets. These substances are not intended to be present in the medicine and could pose a risk if ingested.

The latest announcement has also brought attention to how drug recalls work. A recall does not necessarily mean that an entire medicine has become unsafe. In many cases, quality concerns are traced to a particular manufacturing lot, allowing regulators and manufacturers to remove the affected products while other batches remain available.

That is why consumers are being asked to check the specific details rather than simply throwing away every acetaminophen product they have at home.

The lot number is especially important in this case. Consumers who have Novo-Gesic Forte 500 mg tablets should look for 100083040, along with the product’s DIN 00482323 and the January 2029 expiry date. Anyone unable to verify those details can ask a pharmacist for help.

The recall is also separate from an older Novo-Gesic Forte issue. Health Canada records show that an earlier recall involved a labelling problem concerning the maximum daily dose. The current 2026 action is different and concerns possible foreign material in one specific lot.

The latest recall serves as a reminder that even familiar over-the-counter medicines need to be checked when a safety alert is issued. People often keep painkillers for months and may not remember exactly when or where they bought them.

Consumers who have the affected Novo-Gesic Forte tablets should not continue using them simply because they look normal. The safest step is to stop taking the recalled product, return it to a pharmacy and seek professional advice if they have health concerns.

Health Canada continues to monitor the situation nationally. At present, the warning remains focused on the identified Novo-Gesic Forte 500 mg lot, while Canadians are being encouraged to stay alert to official drug recall notices and check their medicines when necessary.