TOPLINE
These 75 hand sanitizers have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration due to methanol contamination, which can be toxic when absorbed by skin and if swallowed can lead to blindness, permanent neurological damage and death.
KEY FACTS
- The FDA advises that anyone exposed to hand sanitizer with methanol (also known as wood alcohol) seek immediate medical attention.
- The agency has recalled hand sanitizers from the companies All-Clean, Eskbiochem, CleanCare, Saniderm, Lavar 70 and Good Gel, which were all manufactured by Mexico-based Eskbiochem SA de CV.
- A total of 10 Blumen hand sanitizer products manufactured by San Antonio-based 4e Brands were recalled by the FDA on July 6.
- Hello Kitty by Sanrio hand sanitizer—which appears to have been sold in bottles shaped like Hello Kitty’s head—were recalled on July 6 for methanol contamination.
- Born Basic Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer was recalled for methanol contamination on July 14 and importation from Mexico halted on July 16.
- See the complete list of hand sanitizers recalled for possible methanol contamination here.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“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 for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk,” warns the FDA.
BIG NUMBER
20%. That is the expected compound annual growth rate of hand sanitizer sales from 2019 to 2025 in the U.S., with rapid growth expected in the next two years from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to market research firm ReportLinker.
KEY BACKGROUND
The U.S. is the largest market for hand hygiene products in the world, per ReportLinker. Hand sanitizer sales grew a whopping 73% in March due to the pandemic, and according to an April Grand View Research survey, 77% of the U.S. population uses hand sanitizer.
FURTHER READING
- FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers with Methanol (FDA)
- Hand Sanitizer Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Gel, Foam, Liquid), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket & Supermarket, Drug Store, Specialty Store, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027 (Grand View Research)
- Hand Sanitizer Market in US – Industry Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025 (ReportLinker)
SOURCE: FORBES – These 75 Hand Sanitizers Have Been Recalled By The FDA For Methanol Contamination