FDA warns of hand sanitizers containing toxic chemicals

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking consumers to stop using hand sanitizers manufactured by a company from Mexico that could contain a potentially toxic substance.

The FDA issued an advisory for 9 sanitizers from Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico that could contain the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The affected products include:

According to the FDA, substantial methanol exposure "can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death."

If you possess any of the mentioned sanitizers, the FDA recommends to stop using them immediately and dispose of them in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.