Sanitizers With Methanol Can Blind, Kill – NAFDAC Warns

As Nigeria battles the third wave of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of certain hand sanitizers.

The warning is contained in a public alert titled “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutritional due to the presence of Methanol”.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the agency received information from the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about the presence of methanol in some sanitizers.

FDA noted that Nutritional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitizers, ProtectoRX hand sanitizers and Advance hand sanitizers due to concerns.

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Methanol or wood alcohol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening.

It can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

Those at risk include persons who use affected sanitizers on their hands, young children who accidentally ingest the products, and adolescents and adults who drink the products as alcohol (ethanol) substitutes.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxicity,” Adedeye reiterated.

The agency asked Nigerians experiencing the listed symptoms were urged to seek treatment for a potential reversal of toxic effects of poisoning.

NAFDAC implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Related problems can be reported to the nearest NAFDAC office, through the 20543 toll-free line or the website.