On August 27, 2020, the FDA warned consumers about alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are packaged in containers that look like food and drink packages. Some hand sanitizers are packaged in beer cans, children's food pouches, water bottles, juice bottles and vodka bottles, and some contain food flavors like chocolate or raspberry. For example, the FDA received a report that a consumer purchased a bottle they thought to be drinking water but was actually hand sanitizer. In a second instance, a retailer reported to the FDA that a hand sanitizer product marketed with cartoons for children was packaged in a pouch that resembles a snack.

Hand sanitizers can be toxic if ingested, and can cause cardiac effects and effects on the central nervous system which can require hospitalization or cause death.

The FDA Commissioner, Dr. Stephen Hahn, said "I am increasingly concerned about hand sanitizer being packaged to appear to be consumable products, such as baby food or beverages. 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. Manufacturers should be vigilant about packaging and marketing their hand sanitizers in food or drink packages in an effort 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."

Consumers and healthcare providers can report any adverse reactions to the FDA's MedWatch Voluntary Reporting Program.

For more information, use the link below.

FDA Warns Consumers About Hand Sanitizer Packaged in Food and Drink Containers

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