COVID-19: NAFDAC Gives Fresh Warning On Use Of Sanitisers

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

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of certain hand sanitisers in a bid to prevent contracting COVID-19.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning via a public alert titled, “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutricional due to the presence of Methanol”.

The NAFDA GD, who stated that the agency had received information from the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about the presence of methanol in some sanitisers, cautioned Nigerians against the use of such sanitisers.

Adeyeye added that information from FDA noted that Nutricional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitizers, ProtectoRX hand sanitisers, and Advance hand sanitisers due to the presence of methanol.

The NAFDAC FG further stated that methanol or wood alcohol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening.

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

“All persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

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

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

The NAFDAC DG further enjoined importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

She stated that related problems can be reported to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL-FREE from all networks).

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