FDA warns some hand sanitizers have risk of methanol toxicity

With hand sanitizer in high demand, many companies, even distilleries, have taken to producing the cleaning product, but some of these products may be toxic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol but have tested positive for methanol contamination.

Methanol, or wood alcohol, can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested, according to the FDA.

'The agency is aware of adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol that has led to recent adverse events including blindness, hospitalizations and death,” according to the FDA.

The FDA does not approved hand sanitizers, and any that are labeled as 'FDA-approved” are fraudulent and consumers should be warry, according to the FDA.

The FDA recommends consumers wash their hands with soap and water, but if that is not available, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends consumers use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent ethanol, or ethyl alcohol.

On Tuesday, a recall was issued for a hand sanitizer called 'bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer” created by AAA Cosmética for containing methanol. A recall also was issued for 'Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free” by Soluciones Cosmética.

Individuals can see photos of the product and learn more at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

The list of hand sanitizers containing methanol contamination can be found at fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol