FDA Warns Against Using 115 Types of Hand Sanitizer

Time to check all of your bottles: the one in the car, the one in your bag, the one at your desk... however many you have now.

The FDA has updated its warning regarding certain types of hand sanitizers that could have adverse effects, as well as some that may have ineffective active ingredients. 

At the beginning of July, the FDA issued a statement regarding the presence of Methanol, or wood alcohol, in some hand sanitizers. Obviously, hand sanitizer can be toxic and harmful when ingested, but Methanol can cause harm even when absorbed through the skin.

On July 31, the FDA released another warning about sanitizers that 'have concerningly low levels of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol,' which are sanitizers' active ingredients. Those sanitizers have been added to the FDA's list of 'hand sanitizers consumers should not use,' seen here.

Numerous distilleries and breweries in Northern Colorado have started making sanitizers to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of course, you can (and should) always wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.