In late June, the Food and Drug Administration told residents not to use nine different hand sanitizers made in Mexico because of the presence of methanol. The FDA is adding to that list.
The FDA says many of the products in question are listed as containing ethanol, which is safe for sanitizers, but the products have tested positive for methanol contamination.
The FDA says substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death, so it’s vitally important for people who use these sanitizers to seek immediate medical attention. Young children who ingest these products and teenagers or adults who drink these products as an alcohol substitute are considered most at risk for methanol poisoning.
If you plan to use a hand sanitizer, the FDA says it should contain at least 60 percent ethanol. Methanol should not be used under any circumstances.
Below are the hand sanitizers singled out by the FDA:
*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)
*BioAAA Advance Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 76987-402-01)
*LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 4-oz (NDC: 76987-120-01)
*LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 16-oz (NDC: 76987-402-02)
*QualifaMed Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 76987-250-01)
*Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
*Hand Sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol (numerous NDC numbers)
*Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free (numerous NDC numbers)
*Antiseptic Alcohol 70% Topical Solution Hand Sanitizer (NDC not listed)
*Mystic Shield protection Hand Sanitizer (numerous NDC numbers)
*Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol Alcohol 70% (numerous NDC numbers)
