Number of Faulty Hand Sanitizers Up to 101

First, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of hand sanitizers containing methanol, a toxic ingredient when absorbed through the skin or digested. The FDA’s latest warning is of hand sanitizers containing insufficient levels of alcohol to eliminate germs such as SARS-CoV-2, CNN reports.

FDA test results found some hand sanitizers had concerningly low levels of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzalkonium chloride, the active ingredients. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% of ethanol alcohol or other active ingredients.

In all, the FDA listed 101 brands of hand sanitizers in its latest warning. All the products on the list have either:

• Been tested by the FDA and found to contain methanol
• Are labeled to contain methanol
• Have been tested and found to have microbial contamination
• Are being recalled by the manufacturer or distributor
• Are subpotent, meaning they have less than the required amount of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzalkonium chloride
• Are purportedly made at the same facility as products that have been tested by the FDA and found to contain methanol.

Make sure you are choosing the correct hand sanitizer for your facility. Register for an upcoming webinar on hand sanitizers and the FDA.