FDA Recalls Hand Sanitizers Contaminated by Bacteria and Toxic Chemical

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its list of recalled hand sanitizers. Products now on the list include Durisan, due to contamination with a water supply-borne bacteria, and Dibar, which like other sanitizers recalled earlier contains the toxic chemical methanol.

Sanit Technologies LLC voluntarily recalled their Durisan Non-Alcohol Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer products earlier this year after they discovered they were contaminated with the bacteria Burkolderia contaminans through a water supply, according to the FDA notice. The bacteria can pose risks for users with wounds or scrapes on their hands as the bacteria could enter the bloodstream, according to the FDA.

Last month, Durisan expanded the recall to include all its hand sanitizer products produced after April 9, 2019 since they discovered promotional orders, wipes, and private label products might have been contaminated as well. The products were packaged in sizes ranging from 18ml to 1,000ml. The lot numbers can be found here. Consumers with these lot numbers are advised to contact Durisan.

No ill effects have been reported from the Durisan hand sanitizers.

Dibar Nutricional LLC is recalling all Dibar Labs, ProtectoRx, and Advance hand sanitizers due to the presence of toxic chemical methanol, according to the FDA notice. Use of methanol for hand sanitizers is banned in the U.S. Exposure to this toxic chemical, also known as wood alcohol, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, or even death.

The FDA warns consumers to contact their health care provider if they do experience any problems relating to these recalled hand sanitizers.