NAFDAC Recalls Methanol-Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has informed the general public that it has been informed by the US Food and Drug Administration of the withdrawal of all alcohol- based hand sanitizer that contain ethanol that have tested positive to methanol.

NAFDAC also stated that, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA) has also banned the use of ‘99% Methanol Alcohol’ hand sanitizer, packed by KVM Co. Ltd.

According to NAFDAC, Methanol, or wood alcohol, are toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can pose a threat to life when ingested.

Excessive exposure to methanol cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, and at most permanent damage to the nervous system or eventual death. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used because of its toxicity.

NAFDAC thus, advised persons who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

In view of this NAFDAC have released a list containing the names of the alcohol based hand sanitizers that have been withdrawn. They include All clean natural hand sanitizer with NDC-74589-002-01, All day hand sanitizer/ NDC-74840-402-0, Esk biochem Hand sanitizer produced by ESK Biochem Ltd. Mexico/NDC- 74589-007-01 All Lots.

Among others are Bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer 480ml /NDC-76987-402-01, Body guard infusion administration, Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel produced by Soluciones Cosmetics Ltd/ NDC 75165-000-01 and 75165-003-02.

The alcohol based hand sanitizers which were withdrawn also includes Bersih Antiseptic Alcohol with NDC-75165-600-01, Blumen Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer, BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer/NDC60599-047-00-46 and BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer/ NDC-60599-017-00 and 60599-018-01.

The Honeycreeper Hand Sanitizer/ NDC-60599-020-00 -01, Pacific Coast Global Inc. and Tritanium Incredible Products SA de CV/ NDC-71761-000-01 71761-000-05 71761-000-10

71761-000-20 71761-000-22 71761-000-37 71761-000-99.

NAFDAC thereby urged importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance and avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Members of the public in possession of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers are therefore advised by NAFDAC to discontinue sale or use of it and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

NAFDAC thereby charged health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse effectss related to the use of any Hand sanitizer to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR 20543 TOLLS FREE or through pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.