At least two types of Disney-branded hand sanitizers have been ordered for recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after detecting carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and methanol.
FDA tested the products which have specific photos of Baby Yoda from "The Mandalorian" and Mickey Mouse. According to CNN, the company distributing the product was informed of the test results in late February 2022.
The affected lots of Disney-branded sanitizers include 20D21 and 20E21, with an expiration date of June 20 and Sept. 30, 2022. These were manufactured from April to May 2020. The products, which supposedly contain 68 percent ethyl alcohol, are sold in 2.11 fl oz bottles in blue, green, and black.
Benzene and Methanol's Risks
Per the FDA, Best Brands did not manufacture these products but imported them from a third-party producer. Upon learning the items tested for carcinogenic chemicals, the company conducted further investigations to determine which lot had been impacted.
Best Brands confirmed that some of the lots were already pulled out of store shelves as early as April 2021 due to other reasons unrelated to the test results. To date, the company has not had any reports of untoward incidents regarding the use of sanitizers. Nonetheless, they are abiding by the recall and are advising customers to discard the products.
Hand sanitizers help kill microorganisms that may carry risks of illness. During this pandemic, doctors said that hand sanitizers are good for hygiene measures if there is no soap or water readily available.
However, the FDA said that products containing benzene are considered carcinogenic as exposure to this chemical via oral or skin contact and inhalation may lead to risks of developing leukemia or other life-threatening blood disorders. The dangers of benzene in humans have been known to scientists for more than a century.
On the other hand, exposure to methanol has been linked to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headache, and damage to the central nervous system. Young kids are most at risk of methanol poisoning.
Consumers who may have questions about these Disney-branded hand sanitizers recall may email Quality@BestBrandsintl.com. Best Brands advises the public to visit their healthcare provider if they have experienced medical issues or adverse reactions related to the product. Consumers are also advised to report to the hotline 1- 800-332-1088.
Tennessee Technical Coatings Corp. Hand Sanitizers Also Recalled
In March 2022, Tennessee Technical Coatings Corp. has also voluntarily recalled its Hand Sanitizer Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% products from store shelves due to the presence of methanol. The company sells these products in one-gallon containers at various supermarkets and wholesale stores in Tennessee.
Batches of these products included the lots 00422001, 00421002, 00429001, 00622003, 00806001, and 00521001 and were manufactured from April to August 2020, per Local Memphis. The company has also not received any report of adverse reactions but has recalled the items to ensure the safety of consumers.
