4e Brands North America of San Antonio, Texas, is voluntarily recalling all lots of Blumen Hand Sanitizer, Assured Hand Sanitizer, and Modesa Hand Sanitizer for undeclared methanol, or wood alcohol. Wood alcohol can cause serious problems because it is absorbed through the skin and can lead to headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.
Anyone who drinks products containing methanol can suffer from permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, and death. Children may accidentally ingest this product, and some people use ethanol as a substitute for alcoholic beverages. The press release did not state that no adverse events have been reported.
You can see the long list of products at the FDA web site. All of these products were produced in Mexico. They include Assured Aloe Hand Sanitizer, Assured Clear Hand Sanitizer, Assured Aloe Hand Sanitizer, Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer, Blumen Advanced Clear Hand Sanitizer, Blumen Clear Tea Tree Hand Sanitizer, Blumen Clear Hand Sanitizer, and Modesa Clear Gel Antibacterial in various sizes and with various UPC numbers.
The recall now includes all products manufactured by 4e within expiration, regardless of size, UPC number, or lot number. You can see pictures of product labels of the recalled products at the FDA web site.
These hand sanitizers are packaged in clear plastic bottles with variations of tops, including blue white, or clear pumps and caps. The Blumen hand sanitizer, Modesa hand sanitizer, and Assured hand sanitizer were sold nationwide in the United States through retailers and distributors.
If you purchased any of these products, stop using them immediately. You can discard them according to your locality’s hazardous waste disposal system, or take them back to the store where you bought them for a full refund.
If you have experienced any health issues related to the use of these products, see your doctor, then report it to the FDA. You can use the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Reporting Program.
