Toxic Hand Sanitizer: FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid 9 Brands of Hand Sanitizer

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning statement on June 19 saying consumers should not buy gel alcohol products from the Mexican manufacturer Eskbiochem. The warning comes after the FDA discovered methanol or wood alcohol in these products. Methanol can be dangerous when ingested or absorbed through the skin, and can be fatal in large amounts.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used because of its toxic effects,” the FDA warns in its letter.

Demand for hand sanitizers still tall as the Coronavirus pandemic resurfaces, which makes the recent health warning even more jarring. Many people cannot find their usual hand sanitizer online or in stores, so they turn to new brands that may or may not have made hand sanitizer before the coronavirus pandemic.

Eskbiochem manufactures several brands of hand sanitizers:

• Totally clean hand sanitizer
• Esk Biochem hand sanitizer
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Sanitizer for hands 75% alcohol
• Wash 70 hand sanitizing gel
• Good antibacterial hand sanitizer gel
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Sanitizer for hands 75% alcohol
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer

The FDA encourages consumers not to buy previous brands of hand sanitizer after FDA tests revealed high concentrations of methanol in two Eskbiochem hand sanitizer products, Wash Gel and CleanCare No Germ.

Wash Gel contains more than 80% methanol and does not contain ethyl alcohol, which is the main ingredient approved by the FDA for use in hand sanitizers. CleanCare No Germ contains almost 30% methanol, the FDA found. As of June 23, the FDA reports that there are no cases of adverse health effects associated with Eskbiochem hand sanitizers, but nevertheless recommends caution.

If you have used a methanol hand sanitizer in the past few months, throw it away. The FDA recommends that you seek medical treatment immediately if you have been exposed to methanol, because intervention is required to reverse the toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

All people exposed to methanol are at risk for methanol poisoning, but young children are especially susceptible, says the FDA.

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The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or health advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.