FDA expands hand sanitizer recall to more than 75 brands

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its recall of hand sanitizers to more than 75 brands after toxic levels of methanol were found in more products sold at national retailers including Walmart and Costco.

Methanol, or wood alcohol, when absorbed through the skin, can cause, nausea, seizure and blindness; if ingested it can cause death, health officials warn.

The FDA first issued a warning last month that certain hand sanitizers contained the toxic chemical. In June, officials identified five other hand sanitizer brands with the chemical as part of its ongoing investigation.

“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 Dr. Stephen Hahn said in a statement July 2. “Consumers and health care providers should not use methanol-containing hand sanitizers.”

Check here for a full list of recalled brands.

Cox Media Group