U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

  1. Home
  2. Drugs
  3. Drug Safety and Availability
  4. FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use
  1. Drug Safety and Availability

FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use

This page is no longer being updated. Visit the drug recalls page or search FDA’s recalls database for additional hand sanitizer recalls. You also can find information on inspections and other FDA actions on the data dashboard.

Need help now? Call 9-1-1 if the person is unconscious or has trouble breathing. Call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 to connect to your local poison center. Learn more at poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/.

Hand sanitizers consumers should not use

FDA urges consumers not to use certain hand sanitizer products

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other diseases are to wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol).

Visit Is Your Hand Sanitizer on FDA’s List of Products You Should Not Use? and Safely Using Hand Sanitizer for more information.

How to identify hand sanitizer products you should not use:

  • The names of the specific manufacturers.
  • NDC number, which may also be located on the product label.
  • The name of the distributors that sell, or sold or had planned to sell specific hand sanitizers products produced by these manufacturers.

If the manufacturer is not listed on the label, contact the distributor to find out who manufactured the product. If the distributor refuses to clarify this information when you contact them, FDA recommends you do not use the product.

FDA recognizes that distributors may use more than one manufacturer to produce their hand sanitizer products even if they are marketed under the same brand name. FDA’s recommendation not to use a manufacturer specific hand sanitizer would not necessarily extend to all products under that specific distributor brand name or other products sold by that distributor.

How to use the table below:

  1. Using the information on the hand sanitizer label, type one of the following in the search box:
    • Product or brand name
    • Manufacturer, or the company that produced the product (may not be included on the product label)
    • Distributor, the company that brings the product to market
    • NDC or National Drug Code number (may not be included on the product label)
  2. Do not use any hand sanitizer made by manufacturers on the list.

Historical References:

 

 

Back to Top