Health officials in the United States have issued a recall for certain lots of hand sanitizers and aloe gels due to the potential risk of methanol exposure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the recall of 40 lots of Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 80% and Aruba Aloe Alcoholada Gel because they contain alcohol denatured with methanol.
Methanol is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Exposure to methanol can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, coma, seizures, permanent blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, or even death.
While there have been no reports of adverse events related to the recalled products, the FDA warns that children who accidentally ingest them are at high risk. The affected products are labeled as “ARUBA ALOE Hand Sanitizer GEL 80% Alcohol Made in Aruba World’s Finest Aloe” and “Alcoholada Gel Pain Relieving Gel 0.5% Lidocaine Hydrochloride.”
These products were distributed between May 1, 2021, and October 27, 2023, and were sold online only via the Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. website. The company has notified all customers who bought these products by email and has offered a discount coupon for their next purchase.
The FDA advises consumers who have purchased the recalled products to stop using them immediately and discard them. If anyone has experienced any problems that may be related to using these products, they should contact their physician or healthcare provider for guidance.
It’s important to note that while anyone using these products on their hands is at risk, young children who accidentally ingest them and adolescents or adults who drink them as a substitute for alcohol (ethanol) are most vulnerable to methanol poisoning.
The FDA continues to investigate the situation and is working to ensure the safety of consumers. They emphasize the importance of following their guidance and taking appropriate action to protect public health.
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