FDA Alerts Consumers About Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reissued its warning about alcohol-based hand sanitizers packaged in containers that may appear as food or drinks and may put consumers at risk of serious injury or death if ingested.

The FDA stated on February 26, 2021, it had 'discovered that some hand sanitizers are being packaged in beer cans, children’s food pouches, water bottles, juice bottles, and vodka bottles. Additionally, the FDA has found hand sanitizers that contain food flavors, such as chocolate or raspberry.'

“These products could confuse consumers into accidentally ingesting a potentially deadly product. It’s dangerous to add scents with food flavors to hand sanitizers which children could think smells like food, eat and get alcohol poisoning,” commented former FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., in a press statement issued in 2020.

“Manufacturers should be vigilant about packaging and marketing their hand sanitizers in food or drink packages to mitigate any potential inadvertent use by consumers. The FDA continues to monitor these products, and we’ll take appropriate actions as needed to protect the health of Americans.”

Furthermore, consumers are reminded to keep hand sanitizers out of the reach of children and, in case of ingestion, to get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Very small amounts of hand sanitizer can be toxic, even lethal, to young children, says the FDA.

As part of the FDA's efforts, it published three guidances to help meet the increased demand for hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. During the emergency, entities that are not currently registered drug manufacturers can register as over-the-counter drug manufacturers and make alcohol-based hand sanitizers, pharmacies and registered outsourcing facilities can compound certain alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and alcohol production firms can produce alcohol for making hand sanitizers provided they follow the conditions outlined in the FDA guidance for industry.