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Hand sanitizer is one of the most common ways people protect themselves from COVID-19 when they are away from home, but some contain less alcohol than they claim, and too little to kill the disease.
The worst of the 18 disinfectants tested by the consumer group Which one? It had an alcohol content of 10%, instead of the 75% it said it contained.
To kill the COVID-19 virus, disinfectants should have an alcohol content between 60% and 90%.
All of the tested ones are available in retail stores, supermarkets and online markets.
Three of the products purchased on the eBay and Etsy online marketplaces fell below the required level.
Klenzy Hand Sanitizer Gel, which was available for sale on eBay, claimed to have an alcohol content of 75%, but which one? tests revealed that it contained only 10%.
VaidaMakeup hand sanitizer gel (33% alcohol content), on Etsy, and Hansan antibacterial hand sanitizer (35%), on eBay, were also misleading.
Both contained about half of the claimed 70% alcohol levels.
Natalie Hitchins, which one? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “It is extremely concerning that hand sanitizers readily available on eBay and Etsy online marketplaces make misleading claims about alcohol content and may inadvertently leave consumers exposed to the COVID-virus. 19.
“The good news is that our research shows that if you buy a hand sanitizer from a known and trusted brand, you increase the chances that it will do what you need, but you could face a bigger lottery if you buy from a lesser brand. online markets “.
eBay said: “The two listings flagged by Which? have been removed, and we have taken appropriate action with sellers, who will no longer be allowed to sell hand sanitizer on eBay.”
The Etsy seller told Which? They had removed the list and contacted all customers to advise them of the lower alcohol content in the sanitizer and offer a full refund.
Etsy said they are “happy that the seller removed the item from sale. We do not have final control over the seller’s items, but we ask that they act with integrity, as was the case here, as they took action once they were informed of the problem. “
All hand sanitizers Which ones? Tested in retail stores and supermarkets including Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Waitrose, and Wilko, it passed their tests, just like those found on Amazon.
They all had appropriate levels of alcohol content to kill viruses and bacteria, which is consistent with their stated claims.
Which? surveyed 1,056 members of its online panel between October 1-6.
The group has shared its findings with the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) for further investigation.
