The FDA warns against using hand sanitizer containing toxic methanol

August 5, 2020

Don't Use Methanol-based Hand Sanitizer.

The FDA has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination. Hand sanitizers that contain methanol - a “toxic alcohol” - can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed.

The FDA has a created webpage offering a list of products that have been tested and found to contain methanol.