A medical staff distributes hand sanitizer in León, Mexico.
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The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to import alcohol-based hand sanitizers imported from Mexico after tests revealed that more than half of the products contained “dangerous levels” of toxic ingredients, including methanol and 1-propanal.
Under the import alert, which was announced on Tuesday, hand sanitizers will be subject to increased FDA control. Shipments that violate FDA regulations can be stopped altogether, the agency said. It is the first time the FDA has issued a nationwide import alert for any category of pharmaceuticals.
“Today’s actions are necessary to protect the safe supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. We will continue to work with our stakeholders to ensure the availability of safe products and to communicate vital information taking into account health and the safety of American consumers, ”he said. Judy McMeekin, FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs.
Methanol is potentially toxic when absorbed into the skin and can be fatal if ingested, according to the FDA. Imported products were labeled as containing ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, but tests confirmed methanol contamination.
Tests conducted by the FDA found that 84% of the samples analyzed from April to December 2020 violated FDA regulations and that more than half contained toxic substances at levels dangerous to human consumption. Symptoms of exposure may include vomiting, seizures, blindness, effects on the central nervous system and hospitalizations and deaths, with younger children at risk, according to the agency.
The FDA urged consumers who think they have been exposed to a contaminated hand sanitizer and have symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.