The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to buy hand sanitizers made by Eskbiochem SA de CV because of the possible existence of harmful chemicals.
The FDA disclosed in a letter that nine products produced by the Mexico-based firm that are still being sold on the market may have methanol, which can be poisonous if ingested or absorbed through the skin. The FDA has recommended using hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent ethanol.
In an advisory released on Friday, the FDA said it had tested two product samples -- CleanCare No Germ and Lavar Gel -- and discovered they contained 28 percent and 81 percent methanol, also referred to as wood alcohol.
The agency stated that "methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and shouldn't be used due to its toxic effects," Christopher Mele of The New York Times quoted the FDA as saying.
On June 17, the agency disclosed it had recommended that the maker, Eskbiochem SA de CV of Mexico, remove all its products from the market, but as of this past weekend, the FDA said Eskbiochem had not complied with the request.
According to the FDA, exposure to hand sanitizers containing methanol can cause vomiting, nausea, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, and even death. Young children who accidentally ingest hand sanitizer and young people who drink hand sanitizer as substitute for alcohol are at increased risk for poisoning, the FDA warned.
The FDA reminds consumers to thoroughly wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before meals, and after sneezing, coughing, or blowing one's nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
The FDA recommends consumers to avoid these brands of hand sanitizers manufactured by Eskbiochem:
All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
The FDA warnings come as the pandemic has pushed demand for hand sanitizer around the world. During the height of the coronavirus outbreak in March, a number of retailers, including Costco Wholesale Corp, BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. and Kroger Co. posted increasing sales in hand-cleaning items.
