FDA Warns Against 149 Potentially Toxic Hand Sanitizers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dramatically increased the number of potentially toxic hand sanitizers consumers need to avoid.

The agency first took action on June 19, 2020, when it advised consumers to avoid nine products manufactured by Mexico-based Eskbiochem SA de CV due to risk of methanol contamination. Further warnings followed on June 29 about another product by that manufacturer, hand sanitizer packaged in one-liter bottles from Saniderm Products for the same reason.

That was just the beginning. In less than two weeks the list of problematic products increased more than sixfold, to 59 by July 2. On August 13, the number had climbed to 149.

The active ingredient in safe and effective hand sanitizer is ethanol (i.e., ethyl alcohol), not methanol (i.e., ‘wood alcohol’), which can be toxic to humans if absorbed through the skin or ingested. The FDA says it has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products labeled to contain ethanol but testing positive for methanol contamination.

The FDA also warns consumers that substantial exposure to methanol can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

PhotoAlto/Michele Constantini/Getty Images

The full list of potentially harmful hand sanitizers

At the time of publication, the list of hand sanitizer brands to avoid include:

1. Blumen Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol
2. Blumen Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear Ethyl Alcohol 70%
3. BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
4. BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
5. KLAR AND DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
6. MODESA Instant Hand Sanitizer Moisturizers and Vitamin E
7. BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
8. BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
9. BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe
10. BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
11. BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
12. BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
13. BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
14. BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
15. The Honeykeeper Hand Sanitizer
16. BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Clear
17. BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer
18. BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe
19. BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
20. BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
21. BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
22. Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Lavender, with 70% alcohol
23. Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe, with 70% alcohol
24. Blumen Antibacterial Fresh Citrus Hand Sanitizer
25. Blumen Hand Sanitizer Fresh Citrus
26. KLAR and DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
27. Hello Kitty Hand Sanitizer
28. Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Vitamin E and Aloe)
29. Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Aloe and Moisturizers)
30. Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Vitamin E and Aloe
31. Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe and Moisturizers
32. BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free
33. BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe Vera
34. Assured Aloe
35. bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer
36. LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer
37. LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer
38. QualitaMed Hand Sanitizer
39. NEXT Hand Sanitizer
40. NuuxSan Instant Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
41. NuuxSan Instant Hand Sanitizer
42. Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Moisturizers
43. Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E and Aloe
44. Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Aloe Vera
45. Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Vitamin E
46. V-KLEAN Hand Sanitizer Gel
47. V-KLEAN Hand Sanitizer Gel
48. V-KLEAN Hand Sanitizer Gel
49. V-KLEAN Hand Sanitizer Gel
50. Derma70 Hand Sanitizer
51. V-KLEAN
52. Medically Minded Hand Sanitizer Gel
53. Protz Real Protection Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
54. Alcohol Antiseptic 80% topical solution hand sanitizer
55. Inatek Hand Sanitizer Non-Sterile Solution 70% of Alcohol
56. All Clear Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free
57. Total Pure Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer Gel
58. 70% Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitizer
59. ResQue 1st Instant Hand Sanitizer
60. 70% Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitizer
61. 70% Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitizer
62. Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
63. Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
64. Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
65. Earths Amenities Instant Unscented Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Advanced
66. Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
67. Vidanos Easy Cleaning Rentals Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
68. dgreen Advanced Sanitizer Alcohol Free
69. dgreen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Antibacterial Gel
70. Hand Sanitizer
71. Hand Sanitizer Gel
72. Clean Humans Hand Sanitizer
73. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
74. Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
75. All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
76. Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer
77. The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
78. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
79. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
80. Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
81. OZO Hand Sanitizer, Luxury Formula
82. Hand sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol
83. Hand sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol
84. M Hand Sanitizer Alcohol Antiseptic topical solution 80% Topical Solution Hand Sanitizer
85. Jalisco Paper Inc Restaurant Supplies Hand Sanitizer
86. O.K. Pharmacy Hand Sanitizer
87. Hand Sanitizer Alcohol Antiseptic topical solution 80%
88. Alcohol Antiseptic 75% Topical Solution Hand Sanitizer
89. HF&N Lab Medi Care Alcohol Antiseptic Topical Solution
90. GelBac T Hand Sanitizer
91. Hand Sanitizer (Incredible Products SA de CV)
92. TriCleanz (Labeled with “Made in Mexico”)
93. OZO Hand Sanitizer
94. Sayab Antisepctic Hand Sanitizer 100
95. Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 62% with Vitamin E
96. Leiper’s Fork Distillery Bulk Disinfectant per 5 gallon and Leiper’s Fork Distillery 16 oz bottle
97. Andy’s Best
98. Andy’s
99. NeoNatural
100. Plus Advanced
101. Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
102. Optimus Lubricants Instant Hand Sanitizer
103. Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
104. Selecto Hand Sanitizer
105. Shine and Clean Hand Sanitizer
106. Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol
107. Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol Rinse Free Hand Rub
108. Mystic Shield Protection hand sanitizer
109. Greenfrog Hand Sanitizer
110. Greenfrog Hand Sanitizing wipes
111. Medical Mary Clean Hand Sanitizer
112. AMX Instant Hand Sanitizer
113. Always Be Clean Hand Sanitizer
114. Just Hand Sanitizer Single Use Packs
115. BV BYE Virus 99
116. In Good Hands Hand Sanitizer Gel
117. CleanCare Nogerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
118. Datsen Hand Sanitizer
119. Alcohol Antiseptic 62% Hand Sanitizer
120. Bernal Hand Sanitizer
121. Alcohol Antiseptic 65% Hand Sanitizer; Alcohol Antiseptic 70% Hand Sanitizer
122. Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol
123. Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 65% Alcohol
124. Scent Theory – Keep It Clean – Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
125. Cavalry (labeled with “Product of Mexico”)
126. ENLIVEN Hand Sanitizing Gel
127. Lux Eoi Hand Sanitizing Gel
128. Scent Theory – Keep It Clean – Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
129. Command Gel AntiBac Instant hand sanitizer
130. UltraCruz Hand Sanitizing Gel Antimicrobial
131. SkinGuard24 All-Day Hand Sanitizer
132. Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free
133. Bersih Antiseptic Alcohol 70% Topical Solution hand sanitizer
134. Purity Advanced Hand Sanitizer
135. Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 70%
136. Lite ’n Foamy Lemon Blossom Hand Sanitizer
137. foamyiQ Lemon Blossom Hand Sanitizer
138. TriCleanz Tritanium Labs Hand Sanitizer (Labeled with “Made in Mexico”)
139. Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70%
140. Parabola Hand Sanitizer
141. Urbane Bath and Body Hand Sanitizer
142. Cleaner Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free 70%
143. Handzer Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free
144. Kleanz Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Advanced
145. Be Safe Hand Sanitizer
146. Wave Hand Sanitizer Gel
147. Volu-Sol Handrub Sanitizing Solution
148. Leafree Instant Hand Sanitizer
149. DAESI Hand Sanitizer

FDA guidelines for safe hand sanitizer use

The FDA “remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers.” The agency urges consumers to follow these guidelines for safe use of hand sanitizer:

• Never drink hand sanitizer under any conditions.
• Avoid hand sanitizers that do not contain at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.
• Avoid hand sanitizers that claim to prevent the spread of viruses such as Covid-19 and those that claim to provide prolonged protection (e.g., for up to 24-hours).
• Avoid any hand sanitizer that are fraudulently marketed as “FDA-approved” (no hand sanitizers are approved by FDA).
• Avoid products packaged to appear as drinks, candy, or liquor bottles, as well as products marketed as drinks or cocktails because their appearance could result in accidental ingestion or encourage ingestion.

How to handle hand sanitizer issues

Those who have been exposed to potentially toxic hand sanitizer and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for methanol poisoning. The FDA also encourages health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse events or hand sanitizer quality issues to its MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

Government health organizations remind consumers to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose.

Nodar Chernishev/Getty Images

How Safe are DIY Hand Sanitizers?

via target.com

8 Best Hand Sanitizers for Dry Skin

Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

How Long Hand Sanitizer Lasts