FDA warns about hand sanitizers packaged in food, drink containers or containing methanol

Editor's Note

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on August 27 (updated September 2) issued a warning about alcohol-based hand sanitizers packaged in containers that may appear as food or drinks and could put consumers at risk of serious injury or death if ingested.( https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/covid-19-update-fda-warns-consumers-about-hand-sanitizer-packaged-food-and-drink-containers )

Some hand sanitizers are being packaged in beer cans, children’s food pouches, water bottles, juice bottles, and vodka bottles, and some contain food flavors, such as chocolate or raspberry. These products could confuse consumers into accidentally ingesting a potentially deadly product, the FDA says.

On September 17, the FDA updated a Q&A for consumers on hand sanitizers that included warnings about hand sanitizers that contain Methanol (wood alcohol). Methanol can cause serious side effects when absorbed through the skin and can cause blindness or death when swallowed.