Hand Sanitizers From Mexico Unsafe – FDA Warning

Many Americans have been really conscious when it comes to cleanliness nowadays due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-2019) pandemic. 

Though there is no end in sight in the foreseeable future to this ongoing global public health crisis, many health experts and professionals remind the members of the general populace that one of the most effective ways to combat the spread of the virus is to practice the highest levels of personal hygiene at all times. 

Tips such as washing one’s hands with soap at all times after getting in touch with surfaces and doing routine disinfection of several items are seen to significantly reduce the period the virus that causes COVID-19.

However, many people find this too time-consuming and thus resort to other measures to protect themselves. 

Bottled alcohols and hand sanitizers have been really popular as of late as many Americans find it a cheap and convenient way to practice personal hygiene. 

But what if the hand sanitizer that is supposed to protect yourself ended up being toxic? How would you feel about it?

This comes after federal authorities have raised the red flag regarding hand sanitizer products imported from Mexico. 

According to an alert published by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), many imported Mexican hand sanitizers have methanol in them and other potentially harmful ingredients. 

Authorities’ testing found out that the products contained methanol and dangerous quantities of 1-propanol. But what are these chemicals, and why did the authorities give out a warning about them? 

Methanol or methyl alcohol is a type of alcohol that can’t be ingested. It is different from the alcoholic beverages that a person consumes and gets drunk with when ingested in large amounts.

It is mostly used in the production of a variety of fuel, solvents, and antifreeze. It is poisonous when ingested. 

As Brian White shares in a report on Top Class Actions, USFDA officials warned that methanol could cause someone to suffer from vomiting, headaches, problems with vision, seizures, permanent damage to the nervous system, or even coma. 

On the other hand, 1-propanol was detected in almost half of the products tested by the authorities.

It is a strong solvent that is used for different industrial applications. Exposure to it can cause confusion, slowed pulse, and breathing, etc., to a person. 

Fifteen cases were reported between May and June last year related to poisoning caused by methanol-based hand sanitizer products. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report shared that three of them perished from the ordeal. 

In light of this, FDA officials have handed out warning letters addressed to US-based companies selling these potentially hazardous hand sanitizer products from Mexico.

Judy McMeekin, a regulator from the federal agency, stressed that authorities would not tolerate products that are poor-quality and contains dangerous ingredients. 

As a consumer, what should I do?

FDA officials ask consumers to remain vigilant when buying products, most especially hand sanitizers.

They urge consumers to always check the label before making a purchase.

The only ingredients approved by the FDA to be used in hand sanitizers are ethyl and isopropyl alcohol.

If the product’s label does not contain either of the two or has methanol and 1-propyl written on it, it is in your best interest to steer away from them. 

Also, if a hand sanitizer is claiming that it is “FDA Approved,” it is highly likely to be false. 

If you are unsure whether a product is safe to use or not, you can check out this database published by the FDA.

You can check if your favorite brand of hand sanitizer is included in the list by clicking right here. 

Editor’s Note on Hand Sanitizer From Mexico Unsafe – FDA Warning:

This article is published to inform you of the latest warning from authorities concerning the ingredients being used in hand sanitizers from Mexico as being potentially hazardous.

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