By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(United States) The FDA has released an expanded list of hand sanitizer products that contain methanol or wood alcohol that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. An updated list of hand sanitizers subject to recall can be found here.
“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects,” said the FDA in the warning dated July 2.
Hand sanitizers that do not contain a sufficient amount of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, hand sanitizers sold with false or misleading claims, hand sanitizers marked FDA approved, and hand sanitizers packaged as candy, drink, or liquor bottles are also subject to the recall.
“There are no hand sanitizers approved by the FDA,” said the FDA in their warning.
Consumers or medical professionals who learn of or experience adverse effects of hand sanitizer products to fill out a report and submit it to MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting, which can be found here.