Subject: Hand Sanitizer recalled due to the presence of Methanol

Products Recalled: Jarman’s Midwest Cleaning Systems, Inc voluntarily recalled hand sanitiser solutions due to the presence of methanol. 

Problem:  

•  All batches of alcohol antiseptic 80% topical solution hand sanitiser non-sterile solution, SOFT HANDS alcohol antiseptic 80% topical solution hand sanitiser non-sterile solution, and isopropyl alcohol antiseptic 75% topical solution hand sanitiser non-sterile solution has been recalled on March 27, 2023, by Jarman’s Midwest Cleaning Systems.   
• FDA tested the products, and it was revealed that the products contained methanol. Significant exposure to methanol can lead to headaches, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, seizures, coma, permanent blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, or death [1].  

Scientific Evidence:  

•  Methanol is highly toxic, and severe systemic toxicity and even deaths can occur after oral, pulmonary or skin exposures. Therefore, methanol must never be used in alcohol-based hand rub, which mostly contains ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, or their combinations.  
•  Methanol poisoning often requires antidotal therapy in addition to critical care. However, specific therapy may be delayed since exposure to methanol is initially not suspected.  
•  If used repeatedly as a hand rub, skin absorption can occur, resulting in chronic toxicity (e.g., visual disturbances), particularly if methanol-induced desquamation and dermatitis are present [2]. 

Product Image:

What Regulations clarify: 

The FDA refrains consumers from using certain types of hand sanitisers that: 

• Contain 1-propanol, methanol, acetaldehyde, benzene, or acetal when tested by the FDA.  
•  The product label mentions methanol. 
• The product has been tested and is found to have microbial contamination. 
•  Is recalled by the manufacturer or distributor.
•  It has less than the necessary quantities of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or benzalkonium chloride, making it sub-potent.
•  It is supposedly produced in the same facility that contains 1-propanol, methanol, benzene, acetal or acetaldehyde when tested by the FDA.
• It has been packaged in a container that resembles beverage/food packaging, which increases the chances of accidental ingestion.  
• 8. It is manufactured at a facility that has failed to respond to several FDA requests for information on the quality of its goods and manufacturing process [3].