Chinese Hand Sanitizers Make FDA's Growing Hot List

As of our last report covering the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) growing 'Do Not Use' list of hand sanitizers, several products have been added from China, as well as some from Mexico and Korea. Many were flagged for subpotent alcohol levels; others, for food-like packaging, being made in facilities producing methanol-containing products and in one case, methanol content itself.

As previously noted, the FDA keeps a running list of concerning hand sanitizers organized by manufacturer, product, distributor, product status and more on its website. It also offers consumers advice about how to search the list and what to do if a hand sanitizer they have purchased appears on the list; plus, cautionary information for 1-propanol and methanol.

The vast majority of products previously flagged by the FDA were manufactured in Mexico, along with a few from Europe, the U.S. and one in China. The latest update includes several products from China, from one manufacturer in particular. The following companies and products have been added to the FDA's "hot list" between Sept. 16, 2020, and Oct. 19, 2020. For the complete list, see the FDA website.

Hot List Additions

• Guangzhou Youxing Cosmetics Co. Ltd.'s (China) "V&W Advance Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gels" (multiple) - FDA-tested product whose ethanol alcohol level was found to be subpotent; also products produced in facility manufacturing subpotent ethanol alcohol products; and "V&W Moisturizing Refreshing Spray Sanitizer [isopropyl alc.]" (multiple), "V&W Premium Disinfecting Wipes," "V&W Advance Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel" and "V&W Moisturizing Refreshing Spray Sanitizer [isopropyl alc.]" - products produced in facility manufacturing subpotent ethanol alcohol products.
• Inovaker Lab SA de CV's (Mexico) "Hand+ Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% Topical Solution" - FDA-tested product whose ethanol alcohol level was found to be subpotent; and "El Bueno Hand Sanitizer," "Hand Sanitizer Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75%," "Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75%," "EMHS1 Alcohol Hand Sanitizer," "EMHS1 Advanced Isopropyl Alcohol Hand Sanitizer" and "Inovaker Hand Sanitizer" - all reportedly made at a facility producing subpotent ethanol alcohol products.
• Soleo Cosmetic Co. Ltd.'s (Korea) "Smart Care" hand sanitizer packaged in 0.84 fl oz. containers resembling food pouches labeled with children’s characters - flagged as hand sanitizer products packaged in containers resembling food pouches commonly used for children’s applesauce and other pureed foods that present increased risk of accidental ingestion.
• Rodriguez Fierro, Marco Antonio's (Mexico) "Natural Gold Gel Alcohol Antiseptic 75% Topical Solution" - tested by FDA and ethanol alcohol levels found to be subpotent.
• Corporativo Bureli SA de CV's (Mexico) "Soho Fresh Hand Sanitizer Gel Antibacterial" - FDA-tested product found to contain methanol; and "SOHO Fresh Hand Sanitizer Gel Antibacterial" - made at a facility that produced a methanol-containing product.
• C&G Laboratorios SA de CV's (Mexico) "Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel" - FDA-tested product found to contain methanol.