The FDA is warning consumers and health care professionals about certain hand sanitizer products, including those manufactured by Harmonic Nature S de RL de MI in Mexico, that are labeled to contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol but have tested positive for 1-propanol contamination. 1-propanol, not to be confused with 2-propanol/isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol, is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizer products marketed in the United States and can be toxic and life-threatening when ingested. The agency urges consumers not to use these 1-propanol-contaminated products and has expanded its do-not-use list of hand sanitizers to include hand sanitizers that are or may be contaminated with 1-propanol, in addition to other hand sanitizers the agency is urging consumers not to use.
Young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk. Ingesting 1-propanol can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, which can result in death. Symptoms of 1-propanol exposure can include confusion, decreased consciousness, and slowed pulse and breathing. Animal studies indicate that the central nervous system depressant effects of 1-propanol are 2 to 4 times as potent as alcohol (ethanol). Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing 1-propanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate care for treatment of toxic effects of 1-propanol poisoning. Skin or eye exposure to 1-propanol can result in irritation, and rare cases of allergic skin reactions have been reported.
Consumers who have products on the list of hand sanitizers with potential methanol or 1-propanol contamination should immediately stop using the product and dispose of it, ideally in a hazardous waste container. Do not pour these products down the drain or flush them. Contact your local waste management and recycling center for more information on hazardous waste disposal.
The FDA reminds consumers to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol (also referred to as ethyl alcohol).
Updated FDA list of ‘do not use’ hand sanitizers:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
- Andy’s
- Andy’s Best
- Assured Aloe
- Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Moisturizers
- Assured Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E and Aloe
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Aloe and Moisturizers)
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Vitamin E and Aloe)
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe and Moisturizers
- Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer Vitamin E and Aloe
- Be Safe Hand Sanitizer
- Bersih Antiseptic Alcohol 70% Topical Solution hand sanitizer
- Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free
- bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe
- Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe, with 70% alcohol
- BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Clear
- Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Lavender, with 70% alcohol
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear
- Blumen Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear Ethyl Alcohol 70%
- BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
- BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
- BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 Alcohol
- Blumen Antibacterial Fresh Citrus Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- Blumen Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe
- BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender
- BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- Blumen Hand Sanitizer Fresh Citrus
- BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe Vera
- BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free
- Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 65% Alcohol
- Born Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol
- Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70%
- Cavalry
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
- Cleaner Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free 70%
- Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% Alcohol extra soft with glycerin and aloe
- DAESI Hand Sanitizer
- Earths Amenities Instant Unscented Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Advanced
- ENLIVEN Hand Sanitizing Gel
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer
- GelBact Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
- Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol
- Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% Ethyl Alcohol Rinse Free Hand Rub
- Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 70%
- Hand sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol
- Handzer Hand Sanitizer Rinse Free
- Hello Kitty Hand Sanitizer
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol
- Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 62% with Vitamin E
- KLAR AND DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
- KLAR and DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Kleanz Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Advanced
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
- Leiper’s Fork Distillery Bulk Disinfectant per 5 gallon and Leiper’s Fork Distillery 16 oz bottle
- LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 16 oz
- LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 4 oz
- Lux Eoi Hand Sanitizing Gel
- Medicare Alcohol Antiseptic Topical Solution
- Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Aloe Vera
- Modesa Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Vitamin E
- MODESA Instant Hand Sanitizer Moisturizers and Vitamin E
- Mystic Shield Protection hand sanitizer
- NeoNatural
- NEXT Hand Sanitizer
- NuuxSan Instant Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
- NuuxSan Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Optimus Lubricants Instant Hand Sanitizer
- Parabola Hand Sanitizer
- Plus Advanced
- Purity Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- QualitaMed Hand Sanitizer
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
- Sayab Antisepctic Hand Sanitizer 100
- Scent Theory – Keep It Clean – Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
- Scent Theory – Keep It Clean – Pure Clean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer
- Selecto Hand Sanitizer
- Shine and Clean Hand Sanitizer
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
- The Honeykeeper Hand Sanitizer
- TriCleanz
- TriCleanz Tritanium Labs Hand Sanitizer
- Urbane Bath and Body Hand Sanitizer
- Vidanos Easy Cleaning Rentals Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare
- Wave Hand Sanitizer Gel
