Potentially toxic hand sanitisers flood markets |READ DETAILS

The warning was issued by the United States, Food and Drug Administration [FDA] who called on consumers already exposed to hand sanitisers with methanol to seek immediate treatment which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

A market research in three major super shops in Lagos, Shoprite, Spar, Jendol did not reveal the presence of any hand sanitiser with methanol as ingredient but unfortunately at two cosmetic shops in Balogun Lagos market, 'Antibacterial Gel Hand sanitiser [NDC:74589-010-10] and 'Clean Care No germ advanced hand sanitiser [NDC: 74589-005-03],part of the brands warned against by FDA were conspicuously on the shelves and selling for N2,500 and N2,300 respectively. Mr. Jide Adenuga a biochemist and dealer in cosmetics said we should not rule out the possibility of seeing such hand sanitisers in open markets and some other shops.

"If the said hand sanitisers are in the market in US or Europe, then do not be surprised to see it here. After all there was a time we were depending on imported hand sanitisers and others. The traders are not yet aware of any recall or potential danger," he explained.

Consumers already in possession of these products were urged to stop the usage and dispose them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. They were advised not to flush or pour these products down the drain.

"Exposure to methanol hand sanitiser can cause permanent blindness, seizures, coma, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, headache, nervous system damage and even death," the FDA warns in a press statement.

Specifically, it alerted the public of nine hand sanitisers with methanol already in the market that is injurious. Amongst them is All-Clean Hand Sanitiser (NDC: 74589-002-01), Esk Biochem Hand Sanitiser (NDC: 74589-007-01),CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04),Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01), Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitiser (NDC: 74589-010-10), CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitiser 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03),CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitiser 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01),CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitiser 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01],Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitiser (NDC: 74589-001-01).

Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public over distribution and sale of unregistered hand sanitisers in various parts of the country.

According to NAFDAC, the unregistered sanitisers are illegally distributed and sold under various names including: Mighti Shield Instant Hand Sanitiser; Assured Instant Hand Sanitiser; One Step Hand Sanitiser; Shield Germ Hand Sanitiser.

Others are Lima Hand Sanitiser; Senarita Hand Sanitiser, AUS-B Hand Sanitiser; Bakson Hand Sanitiser and Peru Hand Sanitiser.

The agency said package labels of affected unregistered hand sanitisers have no NAFDAC registration numbers, no batch numbers, no manufacturing and expiry dates; no names and full location addresses of manufacturers.

SOURCE