FDA Recalls Disney-Branded Hand Sanitizers After Carcinogens Found

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled two Disney-branded and themed hand sanitizers after traces of cancer-causing chemicals and methanol were discovered, it announced. (FDA.gov)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled two Disney-branded and themed hand sanitizers after traces of cancer-causing chemicals and methanol were discovered, it announced.

FDA testing found that a Mandalorian-branded hand sanitizer and a Mickey Mouse-branded hand sanitizer contained benzene and methanol, respectively, according to the federal drug regulator in an April 1 news release.

Disney vendor Best Brands Consumer Goods imported the two lots, which were produced by a third-party manufacturer, said the FDA. There have been no reports of “adverse events” in connection to the products, the release added.

Labels uploaded by the FDA show that the two products are both made in China. The FDA recall notice doesn’t list where the products were made.

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, the FDA said, adding that “substantial exposure to benzene can occur through inhalation, oral, and skin and it may result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders, which can be life-threatening.”

(FDA)

(FDA)

Significant exposure to methanol can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, coma, seizures, blindness, blurred vision, damage to the central nervous system, or death, according to the agency.

“Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidentally ingest these products, and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning,” said the FDA.

The Mickey Mouse-branded hand sanitizer has an expiration date of June 30. The Mandalorian hand sanitizers expire on Sept. 30. Both sanitizers come in a 2.11-ounce bottle.

Consumers who have the hand sanitizers should stop using them and discard them, the FDA recommended.

Consumers should contact their physician or health care provider if they’ve suffered any problems that may be related to taking or using the sanitizers, said the agency.

According to the FDA notice, consumers with questions or who want a refund should email Best Brands at [email protected].

Last week, Unilever announced the voluntary recall of two brands of Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant sprays due to the presence of benzene.

And in March, drug giant Pfizer said it is recalling six lots of Accuretic (quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets, one lot of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and four lots of quinapril HCl/ hydrochlorothiazide tablets that are used to treat the symptoms of high blood pressure. The company said the recall was initiated after they were found to have a high presence of nitrosamines, which are linked to a higher risk of cancer.