FDA issues warning for 9 hand sanitizers with toxic ingredient

Hand sanitizer

An usher squirts hand sanitizer onto a worshiper's hands as they enter for a Sunday mass at St. Agnes Church in Paterson, N.J., Sunday, June 14, 2020. (Seth Wenig/AP)

The federal government is advising consumers not to use nine hand sanitizers made by a Mexican manufacturer because they could contain a toxic substance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice about the potential presence of methanol, or wood alcohol, in sanitizers produced by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested, according to the FDA.

The toxic effects of methanol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

The FDA identified the following potentially toxic products manufactured by Eskbiochem:

  • All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
  • Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
  • Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
  • The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
  • Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
  • CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
  • CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
  • CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
  • CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)

Samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare NoGerm were tested by the FDA. Lavar Gel contains 81% methanol and no ethanol. CleanCare NoGerm contains 28% methanol, the notice said.

Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate medical treatment, which is critical to reverse the effects of methanol poisoning, the notice said. Anyone who has used these products on their hands is at risk. However, children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol substitute are most at risk for methanol poisoning.

On June 17, the FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market. To date, the company has not acted to that affect. The FDA advises consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers - do not flush or pour these products down the drain, the notice said.

The FDA has not received any reports of methanol poisoning associated with these products.

The FDA is on the lookout for quality issues in hand sanitizers, including false and misleading claims. For example, some sanitizers have claimed prolonged protection, such as 24-hours, against viruses including COVID-19 - there is no evidence to support these claims, the FDA says.

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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