FDA expands hand sanitizer recall to at least 75 brands across the U.S.

FDA has expanded the list of hand sanitizers being recalled to at least 75, citing toxic levels of wood alcohol that can cause injury or death. The agency said there has been an increase in hand sanitizers that are labeled as containing ethanol but have tested positive for methanol, or wood alcohol, which can cause blindness and hospitalizations if absorbed through the skin. The demand for hand sanitizer has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and questionable new brands have made their way to store shelves across the United States. Peter Pitts, former FDA associate commissioner and president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, said these hand sanitizers end up on store shelves because companies are skirting around the usual steps that ensure product safety. FDA first warned about nine products made in Mexico in June, and dozens more have been identified since. Ten deaths and dozens of hospitalizations in Arizona and New Mexico are believed to be linked to methanol in hand sanitizers. The cases are also linked with alcohol use disorder. The updated list of hand sanitizers being recalled is available here.