By KELIN DILLON

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert on Tuesday, Jan. 26, warning consumers that some hand sanitizers manufactured in Mexico may contain dangerous substances harmful to users.

Due to the alert, all alcohol-based Mexican-made hand sanitizers imported into the United States are subject to be held without inspection upon arrival. 

“This marks the first time the FDA has issued a countrywide import alert for any category of drug product,” said the agency.

According to the FDA, many Mexican hand sanitizers list ethanol as an ingredient on their label that in actuality, when tested by the agency, contain methanol, a chemical that “can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and life-threatening when ingested.”

Testing of the sanitizers by the FDA found that 84 percent of samples did not meet regulatory standards and more than half contained dangerous levels of toxic substances.

Testing of the sanitizers by the FDA found that 84 percent of samples did not meet regulatory standards and more than half contained dangerous levels of toxic substances.

“Methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers are a serious safety concern,” said the FDA. 

Upon ingestion, toxic hand sanitizers can cause hospitalizations, blindness, effects on the central nervous system, cardiac problems and death. Exposure can lead to nausea, headaches, blurred vision, vomiting, seizures and blindness.

“Young children who ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol substitute are most at risk,” said the FDA.

A list of all of the toxic hand sanitizers, including the brand name and manufacturers name, can be found on the FDA’s website.

….Jan. 28, 2021