FDA Warns Americans Not to Use Certain Hand Sanitizers
Posted by Bluangel on June 22, 2020, 6:22 pm
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use hand sanitizers made by Mexican firm Eskbiochem SA de CV because the products contain methanol, which can be toxic.
“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects,” said the agency in an alert on June 19.
The FDA tested samples of two products made by Eskbiochem, which is based in Mexico, and discovered that one contains 81 percent methanol and no ethyl alcohol, while the other contained 28 percent methanol.
The products include All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01), Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01), CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04), Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01), The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10), CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03), CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01), CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01), and Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01), according to the agency.
“Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning,” said the agency.
Too much exposure can result in blindness, seizures, brain damage, coma, blurred vision, vomiting and nausea, headache, or death.