In a recent health update, certain hand sanitizers and aloe gel products have been recalled due to the presence of a potentially deadly ingredient, as announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA, in its effort to ensure the safety of consumers, issued a recall alert for some hand sanitizers and aloe gel products that reportedly contained methanol. Known to be toxic when used on the skin or ingested, methanol could pose serious health risks.
On April 5, the FDA revealed that 40 batches of Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 80% and Aruba Aloe Alcoholada Gel were found to contain methanol. These products were distributed between May 1, 2021, and October 27, 2023, exclusively in the U.S. via the Aruba Aloe Balm website.
Exposure to methanol can lead to serious health conditions. According to the risk statement issued by the FDA, substantial methanol exposure can result in symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to seizures, permanent blindness, and even death. The central nervous system could also suffer permanent damage.
The FDA has urged those in possession of the recalled products to immediately stop using them and dispose of them. Customers who purchased the products have been informed by the brand via email, and a discount coupon has been offered for their next purchase.
The specific lot numbers and expiry dates of the affected products can be found on the FDA website. Consumers are also advised to contact their healthcare provider if they have experienced any potential issues related to the recalled items.
Note: As of the date of the recall, the company had not received any reports of adverse events connected to the products.