By Peter Urban,AARP, Updated June 30, 2020
Warns against using products made by Eskbiochem.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall by two distributors of Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer products manufactured in Mexico by Eskbiochem.
Saniderm products and UVT Inc. announced the voluntary recalls after the FDA had issued a warning for consumers to avoid using any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem, after samples of the Mexican company’s hand sanitizer were found to contain methanol (wood alcohol), which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.
“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects,” the FDA said in a statement.
The voluntary recalls are for “Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer” packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled with “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV,” according to FDA. • UVT is recalling 38,830 liters of Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer it distributed nationwide. The hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 0530 and has an expiration date of April 2022, according to a company statement. • Saniderm Products is recalling Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer that was distributed in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey on April 15, 2020. The lot number is 53131626 with a manufactured date of April 1, 2020, according to a company statement.
Both distributors said they are notifying distributors and customers by email and are arranging for the handling of all voluntary recalled products. If you have purchased the recalled product, the companies urge you to stop using the product and contact them for guidance on the return or disposal of the product.
Consumers with questions on the recalls can contact the distributors by emailing Saniderm at info@sanidermproducts.com or UVT Inc. by emailing customerservice@uvt.world. They can also be reached by phone. Saniderm at 415-562-5502 from Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. PST or UVT Inc. at 951- 427-3108 Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. PST.
On June 17, the FDA requested that Eskbiochem voluntarily remove its hand sanitizer products from the market, after sample testing found the company’s Lavar Gel Hand Sanitizer contained 81 percent methanol and CleanCare No Germ contained 28 percent methanol. If you have purchased these hand sanitizers, the agency recommends you stop using them immediately and dispose of the hand sanitizer in “appropriate hazardous waste containers.” Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain, the FDA advises. The FDA is not aware of any consumers being harmed by these hand sanitizers to date, but notes that “substantial methanol exposure” can result in “permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.” “Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning,” the FDA said.
9 Hand Sanitizers Subject to FDA Safety Warning
All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
In response to COVID-19, the FDA reminds people to wash their hands using 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) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
If soap and water is not available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol to kill most disease-causing germs. Anything less than that may not work as well “for many types of germs,” and could “merely reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them outright,” the CDC says. Hand sanitizer works best when used correctly. Be sure to apply enough hand sanitizer to cover the entire surface of both hands. Rub the hand sanitizer into your hands (paying special attention to the fingertips) until your skin is completely dry – it should take about 20 seconds.