Hand sanitizer is supposed to help you stay healthy, but not all hand sanitizer is created the same.
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer, UVT Hand Sanitizer, 4e Brands North America, AAA Cosmética and ITECH 361 All Clean Hand Sanitizer, Moisturizer and Disinfectant have been recalled for the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol).
The recalled items were sold in 1-liter plastic bottles. The affected UVT Advanced Hand Sanitizer includes lot number 0530, expiration date 04/2022. They are labeled as "Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV.”
The Saniderm Hand Sanitizer is labeled with lot number 53131626 and “Manufactured on April/1/20.”
The FDA also advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.
AAA Cosmética voluntarily recalled all lots of bio aaa Advanced Hand Sanitizer packaged in 480 mL bottles that is currently in U.S. distribution.
The products recalled by 4e Brands North America include the following:
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear (NDC: 60599-015-00)
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 60599-012-04 and 60599-012-08)
- BLUMEN Clear Lear Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 60599 -017-00 and 60599-018-01)
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 60599-018-02, 60599-018-04, 60599-018-06 and 60599-018-07)
- BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol (NDC: 60599-028-00)
The products identified by the FDA are as made by Eskbiochem are:
- OPTIMUS Instant Hand Sanitizer
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
Saniderm is the only one under active recall.
FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81 percent (v/v) methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent (v/v) methanol. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.
According to the recall, on June 17, 2020, FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the risks associated with methanol poisoning. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these potentially dangerous products from the market. Therefore, FDA recommends consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.
According to the FDA, "Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.
"Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning."
The company has received no reports of illness or injury at this time.
If you have these products, you should stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact UVT, INC. by phone (951) 427- 3108 or e-mail to customerservice@uvt.world Monday to Friday from 9:00 am and 3:00 pm Pacific Time.
The FDA says consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
Read AAA Cosmética's full recall statement here.
Read 4e Brands North America's full recall statement here.
Read UVT's full recall statement here.
Read ITECH 361's full recall statement here.
