El gobierno de Estados Unidos retiró del mercado 115 marcas de gel antibacterial, de las cuales 110 son provenientes de México.
Según la lista de Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA, en inglés), señaló que los productos vetados indican que contienen alcohol, pero en realidad son elaborados con etanol.
Los insumos fueron retirados de algunas de las mayores cadenas de tiendas al menudeo en el país, como Target, Walmart y Costco.
Además la FDA recomendó a la población que los envases con la leyenda “Made in Mexico” (Hecho en México), deben de ser evitados.
“El metanol no es un ingrediente aceptable para los desinfectantes de manos y no debe utilizarse debido a sus efectos tóxicos”, advirtió la agencia.
FDA
Albek de Mexico S.A. de C.V. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of All Hand Sanitizers Within Expiry Due to Potential Presence of Methanol (Wood Alcohol)
Company Announcement
Albek de Mexico S.A. de C.V is voluntarily recalling all lots and all brands of hand sanitizer currently in US distribution to the consumer level. This recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to detection of methanol in hand sanitizer samples manufactured by Albek when product was presented for import into the United States.
Risk Statement: Substantial methanol exposure could result in serious health effects (including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, nervous system damage) or death. Persons using methanol-based products on their hands may be at risk. Young children who accidently ingest them and adolescents and adults who drink such products are most at risk for methanol poisoning. To date, there have been no reports of serious adverse events related to the products in the scope of this recall.
The products are labeled for use as a hand sanitizer (or “antiseptic”) and are packaged for several nationwide distributors in a variety of formats as indicated in the table as follows:
This NDC was created in 2019 and then replaced by NDC 72758-002-08.
The products were distributed nationwide in the United States beginning on November, 15 2019.
Albek is partnering with its distributors, who will help notify their customers by phone calls, emails, and/or mailed letters and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers, distributors, and retailers that have product which is being recalled should stop use or distribution and return to place of purchase.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Mrs. Susana Luna (713)961-0262, [days of week] from [state time and zone] or e-mail to contact@albek.com.mx. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using these products.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
- Complete and submit the report Online
- Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.