9 Hand Sanitizers That Should Be Avoided: FDA Warns Against Toxic Use

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory, warning about using hand sanitizer that contains methanol – a wood alcohol that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The agency specifically names nine hand sanitizers produced by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. These 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)
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)

Consumers that have purchased the affected hand sanitizer should dispose of them. They should not be flushed or poured down the drain.

Consumers that have come in contact with a methanol hand sanitizer should seek immediate methanol-poisoning treatment. Symptoms of methanol exposure can include nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or death.

The FDA has requested Eskbiochem remove the hand sanitizers from the market. At the time of writing, the company had not taken any action, causing the FDA to issue an advisory to warn consumers about the products.

The agency said in a statement that it “remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers. Additionally, the agency is concerned with false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide prolonged protection such as 24-hours against viruses including COVID-19, since there is no evidence to support these claims.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that consumers use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% ethanol. The FDA has not received any reports of adverse reactions from the hand sanitizers.