FDA recalling some hand sanitizers over methanol risk

Careful what hand sanitizer you choose.

The Food and Drug Administration said this month that it has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizers that contain methanol but are listed as containing ethanol, or ethyl alcohol.

Methanol, or wood alcohol, can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and can be life-threatening when ingested.

The FDA listed 75 products on its website that have been found to contain methanol, are being recalled or are made at a facility where products containing methanol have been made. NBC News reported some of the products are sold at Walmart, Costco and other national chains.

Extensive exposure to methanol can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death, according to the FDA.

The agency has received reports of adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol that has led to illness and even death.

Hand sanitizer’s popularity has soared since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic as people flocked to stores to stock up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands for at least 20 seconds or, when that’s not possible, using hand sanitizer to protect against coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, there are some companies taking advantage of the increased usage of hand sanitizer during the coronavirus pandemic and putting lives at risk by selling products with dangerous and unacceptable ingredients,” FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn said. “The FDA remains committed to working with manufacturers, compounders, state boards of pharmacy and the public to increase the safe supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.”