You count on it to keep hands clean, but one widely available product might be less equipped for killing germs than the label suggests.
More Than 125,000 Bottles of Hand Sanitizer Have Been Recalled Nationwide
Published on Jun. 09, 2025
Washing your hands is an easy and effective way to prevent germs from spreading. While you can’t beat the classic combo of soap and water, health experts confirm that hand sanitizer can work in a pinch—with a few important caveats.
For a hand sanitizer to fully disinfect, it’s recommended you read the product label to ensure you’re using the correct amount, then apply it to one palm before rubbing the hand sanitizer “all over the surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry.”
The Mayo Clinic also advises that people should use hand sanitizers that have, at a minimum, 60% ethyl alcohol, though 70% is better (and make sure it hasn’t expired for full effectiveness). However, there’s one hand sanitizer product that seems to contain less alcohol than advertised, per a new enforcement report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Late last week, on June 5, the FDA released new information regarding a nationwide recall of 125,040 bottles of Spectrum Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer, Ethyl Alcohol 70%.
The issue apparently came from a “subpotent product.” The report further elaborates: “Product has cloudy appearance and tested below assay label claim for 70% Ethyl Alcohol.”
The FDA report’s product details include:
- Spectrum Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer, Ethyl alcohol 70%
- Size: 8 FL OZ (236 mL) per bottle
- UPC: 8 88277 34945 5
- Lot Codes and Expiration Dates: Lot 0644682, exp 2026/11/14; Lot 0644683, exp 2026/11/16
- Manufactured for: Medline Industries, Inc., Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60693 USA
- National Drug Code (NDC): 53329-202-08
It’s not clear from the report where the hand sanitizer might’ve been available to purchase, but a brief online search suggests it may be sold on a variety of medical product websites.
Notably, the recalling firm, Consumer Product Partners, LLC, of Smyrna, Tennessee, was connected to a separate hydrogen peroxide recall earlier this year in March.
Though the FDA report was first initiated on May 23, the agency didn’t classify the recall until last week. The FDA has now assigned a Class II designation to the event, meaning it involves products that may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.
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