FDA Flags Toxic Hand Sanitizers

The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public to avoid sanitizer products from Saniderm Products and UVT Inc. that may contain methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic if absorbed through the skin or ingested. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, and death.

On June 29, both distributors voluntarily recalled hand sanitizers packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV.” The Saniderm Products hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 53131626 and “Manufactured on April/1/20.” The UVT hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 0530 and an expiration date of 04/2022.

On June 16, the FDA also identified nine sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem to avoid:

• 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)

If you have any of these items, the FDA urges you to dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Please do not flush or pour these products down the drain.

As a reminder, the FDA suggests you wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.