more hand sanitizers recalled by health canada

health canada added five more hand sanitizers from canadian companies to its recall list on tuesday.

• last best brewing and distilling hand sanitizer from last best brewing and distilling, inc.
• nomad hand sanitizer (lemongrass) from rocky mountain soap company
• prairie potions purify hand sanitizer and antibacterial spray from prairie potions
• sanix – gel d’alcool pour les mains avec émollients, 70% alcool éthylique en format de 250 ml
• sanix – gel d’alcool pour les mains avec émollients, 70% alcool éthylique en format de 4 l – sanix

the hand sanitizers from last best brewing and rocky mountain soap company have been recalled over missing risk statements and because they were not authorized to contain technical-grade ethanol. the form of ethanol was only recently approved as a temporary measure in april because of the coronavirus pandemic. heath canada explains that “technical-grade ethanol contains more impurities than pharmaceutical- and food-grade ethanol.” manufacturers must include the following risk statements on product labels that contain technical grade-ethanol:

• under medicinal ingredients: “ethanol xx% (technical-grade)”
• under directions: “adults only”
• under warnings: “do not use on broken or damaged skin,” “not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding” and “do not inhale”
• include a statement for consumers: “report any incident to health canada”
• under questions: “call 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse reaction”

there are currently more than 100 hand sanitizers on health canada’s recall list. to avoid any confusion, the department has released a list of hand sanitizers and surface cleaners with its stamp of approval.

the coronavirus pandemic has ramped up the manufacturing of hand sanitizers around the globe with some companies reporting shortages in the spring. the surge in sanitizer demand and usage has also come with risks. in new jersey, police seized sanitizer from a 7-eleven that was likely handmade after a boy was allegedly burned by the substance. some doctors in alberta even suggested drivers shouldn’t leave hand sanitizers in hot cars because of the possible fire risk.