The FDA Has Recalled Several Hand Sanitizers. Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Hand sanitizer has become a household necessity in the year 2020, but when picking one off the shelf you should ensure it is guaranteed to do its job. On June 19, a list of recalls for hand sanitizers was issued and that list is constantly being updated with the most recent round of recalls announced on August 26.
The FDA has been consistently updating a list of hand sanitizer products that should not be used, and there are a number of reasons a product can make it on this list. For one, low levels of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and benzalkonium chloride, could mean the product is "subpotent." These are the active ingredients in hand sanitizer, so levels under the required amount could make the products unable to properly do their job.
Recalled items also include those that contain methanol, 1-propanol, and microbials. Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. All of the products included on the recall list have either been tested by the FDA, report these ingredients on their labels, were recalled by the manufacturer or distributor, or were made in the same facilities as products that contain these harmful substances. A full list of the recalled hand sanitizers can be found on the FDA's website.
An additional update to the list of recalls includes a warning about hand sanitizers that are packaged to appear like food or drinks. Some hand sanitizers are being sold in containers like beer cans, child food pouches, juice bottles, water bottles, and vodka bottles, as well as being scented to smell like chocolate or fruit. The concern is that the packaging and scents could confuse people into consuming the hand sanitizer which could lead to alcohol poisoning or be potentially lethal.
The FDA urges consumers to be vigilant of the hand sanitizers they are buying, and reminds individuals to follow their guide on how to safely use hand sanitizer.
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