FDA warns against 9 hand sanitizers after dangerous chemical discovered

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning against the use of nine hand sanitizers produced by a Mexico-based manufacturer due to the potential presence of a toxic substance. 

The FDA said methanol, which can be dangerous when absorbed through the skin or ingested, was identified in nine different hand sanitizers produced by Eskbiochem SA.

Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death, according to the FDA. 

The agency said consumers who have been espoused to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek “immediate treatment.” 

The FDA identified the following products in its warning: All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (National Drug Code: 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). 

The FDA is recommending consumers stop using the products and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers, without flushing them or pouring them down the drain. 

The agency tested samples of the products and said that Lavar Gel contains 81 percent methanol and no ethyl alcohol and that CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent methanol. 

The FDA said it contacted Eskbiochem on Wednesday to recommend the company remove the products from the market due to the risk associated with methanol poisoning. 

As of the FDA’s Friday announcement, the agency said the company has not taken action to do so.

The Hill has reached out to Eskbiochem for comment.