FDA warns against using 9 potentially toxic hand sanitizer products

The FDA is warning consumers not to use hand sanitizer manufactured by a Mexico-based company due to the potential presence of wood alcohol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The FDA has identified the following products by Eskbiochem SA de CV:

• 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)

According to the FDA, the company has not taken action in removing these products from the market and any consumer who has purchased one of the products on the above list should dispose of them in a hazardous waste container. Do not flush or pour the items into drains.

Anyone who has been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, the FDA said.

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

At the time of this writing, no reports of illness or injury related to the products have been submitted to the FDA.

For more information about the advisory issued on June 19, visit the FDA’s website.