Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
COVID-19 caused a panic and people ran to the stores to stock up on Clorox, hand-sanitizers and many other products that quickly disappeared off the store’s shelves. Many of those items are still somewhat scarce.
There has been new information on products that needs to be shared.
ABC News recently reported that the Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers “not to use hand sanitizer manufactured by the Mexican company Eskbiochem SA de CV because the products contain methanol, a toxic substance that can cause short and long-term health problems.”
The FDA states that methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.
“Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment,” said the FDA in a statement.
The FDA also warned that exposure to methanol-based hand sanitizer could cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, nervous system damage and even death.
Precautions also noted that young children who accidentally ingest hand sanitizer or drink it as an alcohol substitute are at increased risk for methanol poisoning.
The FDA has published a list of specific products to avoid:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75 percent 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 percent Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75 percent Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80 percent Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
On June 17, the FDA advised Eskbiochem to take its hand sanitizer products off the market. Two days later, the company had not done so, according to the FDA. (Reports also noted that Eskbiochem did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.)
Canada has recalled additional hand-sanitizers as many contain industrial-grade ethanol that has not been authorized for use in hand-sanitizers. Some are: Gel 700, Germzero, Sanilabs 70 percent ethanol, Walker Emulsions, Protectenol, Tidol Instant Hand Cleanser Gel, Aktif Antiseptique, Smart Care, X-Pure Vert-2-Go Gel, Dash Vapes and Isogel.
Everyone is encouraged to inspect the ingredients and names of any hand-sanitizers in your homes and immediately discard any of the above products, to steer on the avenue of precaution.