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Safety alert: Canada-wide recall issued for hand sanitizer due to 'health risks'

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Health Canada is advising Canadians that a brand of hand sanitizer is being recalled because it may pose "health risks" in December 2021. Photo: Hand sanitizer / Getty Images

Health Canada is advising Canadians that a brand of hand sanitizer is being recalled because it may pose "health risks."

Multiple lots of the Sani-Derm hand sanitizer are being recalled from the marketplace because they may contain type DA-2I ethanol, explains a news release. 

DA-2I is not authorized for hand sanitizer use and frequent washing with the products may result in dry skin, causing irritation or cracking.

Since industrial-grade ethanol has not been approved for use in hand sanitizers in Canada, the Department has not reviewed it for safety or efficacy.

Industrial-grade ethanol contains impurities that are not found in the type of ethanol approved for use in manufacturing hand sanitizers, such as technical-grade, food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade ethanol. In addition, chemicals that may not be approved for use in hand sanitizers are added to industrial-grade ethanol.

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Photo via Health Canada

What you should do 

  • Stop using the products identified in the table.
  • Follow municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste; or
  • Return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal
  • Contact the company if you would like more information about the recall
  • Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns

To help limit the spread of COVID-19, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that have been authorized for sale in Canada. Consult these resources for more information:

Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.