NAFDAC WARNS AGAINST THE USE OF CERTAIN HAND SANITIZERS WHICH CONTAINS METHANOL
Written by Sarah Osanyinlusi on July 12, 2021
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of certain hand sanitizers.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of NAFDAC said in a public alert issued on Monday that the US Food and Drug Agency (USFDA) had placed all alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico on a countrywide import alert.
NAFDAC said according to the USFDA, the products were labelled as containing ethanol but were found to have methanol contamination.
NAFDAC asked importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and be vigilant to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
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, and permanent damage to the nervous system or death.
NAFDAC asked importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and be vigilant to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Editor: Abiola Aberuagba
