Health Canada Recalls Hand Sanitizer Distributed to Quebec Schools

Health Canada has announced a recall of hand sanitizer products labeled as “anti-microbe” that may pose a potential health risk to children and others.

The recall includes a number of 0.3 percent benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizers that have the Drug Identification Number (DIN) 02248351 or are labeled as anti-microbe, according to a government notice about the recall.

The hand sanitizers have a higher benzalkonium chloride concentration than what is allowed for personal or home use, the notice said, meaning they could pose a health risk, particularly in children 12 and younger. Hand sanitizers intended for personal use are not allowed to have a benzalkonium chloride concentration of more than 0.15 percent.

Some of the sanitizers were distributed to Quebec schools for children’s use, CTV News reported.

The government said the products also were sold to the public online and in stores, largely in Quebec and Ontario.

Hand sanitizers containing 0.3 percent benzalkonium chloride are supposed to be labeled as being for adult use in industrial settings only, but the labels of the products affected by the recall do not carry this information, according to the government’s notice.

Benzalkonium chloride is a preservative and antimicrobial agent often found in hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers in Canada, the notice said. Frequent use of hand sanitizers that contain 0.3 percent benzalkonium chloride may lead to red, itchy, dry, or scaly skin. 

In more severe cases, people’s skin can peel, swell, or blister.

And in rare cases, certain individuals may have a serious allergic reaction, the government’s notice said. Symptoms of such a reaction include rash; hives; swelling of parts of the face, such as the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat; tightness in the chest or throat; and wheezing or trouble breathing. 

Those most at risk of experiencing adverse effects of the products’ use are young children and adolescents, as well as consumers with skin conditions such as eczema.

Anyone with health concerns after using the affected sanitizers should contact their physician and report adverse health-related issues or complaints to Health Canada.

Atoms F.D. Inc. is the product license holder and the recalling company. However, Health Canada said other companies are selling affected products under private labels, including: 

• 32 Anti-Microbe by Groupe BOD
• Essence 360 Anti-Microbe by Essence360 International
• Nutra One Anti-Microbe by Nutra One Inc.
• Paoch Anti-Microbe by Entreprise Paoch Inc.
• Produits Bio-Expert Anti-Microbe by Produits Bio-experts Inc.
• Trilux Anti-Microbe by Trilux
• Yunisan Handzo by Arclay Natural Technologies Inc.

Health Canada has told Atoms F.D. to recall the affected hand sanitizers and to correct the products’ labeling so it is marked “for industrial use only” and “keep out of reach of children.”

The use of hand sanitizers grew exponentially during the coronavirus pandemic, and several class action lawsuits have been filed claiming the products don’t protect as advertised.

Following a product recall, three consumers filed a class action lawsuit in August alleging 4e Brand North America used methanol alcohol in several of its sanitizers. According to the plaintiffs, methanol is a health hazard linked to side effects such as blurred vision, blindness, nausea, damage to the nervous system, or death. 

And in September, hand sanitizer maker Vi-Jon was hit with a class action lawsuit accusing it of falsely advertising its products could “kill” 99.99 percent of germs.

The Canadian government advises consumers to stop using the recalled anti-microbe hand sanitizers and to follow local or regional guidelines for disposal of chemicals and hazardous waste. Consumers may also return the product to their local pharmacy for disposal.

Consumers who have questions regarding the anti-microbe hand sanitizer recall should contact Atoms F.D. at 1-514-745-2597 or info@atomesbio.com.

Have you used any of the recalled hand sanitizers? Tell us about your experience with it in the comment section below.

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