FivePharmaNews / FDA Recall

This short article will be of interest in the light of the increased interest in hand sanitizers as a result of Covid-19. We are being constantly advised to wash our hands more frequently and it’s good to know that the FDA is carefully watching the quality of the liquid hand sanitizers we use. Two days ago the FDA issued a statement that LABORATORIOS JALOMA S.A. de C.V. is voluntarily recalling all lots and all bottle sizes of the Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer, Ethyl Alcohol 62% With vitamin E to the consumer level.

This recall has been initiated because FDA sampled the 500 mL product and found it to be contaminated with undeclared methanol (wood alcohol).

Methanol is closely related to ethanol and we consume ethanol in beer and wine. Methanol is typically manufactured by a synthesis reaction whereas ethanol is usually fermented from food crops. Substantial methanol exposure could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma and permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.

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