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Canada-wide recall issued for hand sanitizer brand due to 'health risks'

The product is not authorized to contain technical-grade ethanol. 
hand-sanitizer
Health Canada is advising Canadians that the hand sanitizer Salon Solution Waterless Hand Wash is being recalled because it may pose health risks. Photo: Hand sanitizer / Getty Images

Health Canada is advising Canadians that a brand of hand sanitizer is being recalled because it may pose health risks.

CBON Cosmetic Brands of North America Inc.'s Salon Solution Waterless Hand Wash is "not authorized for sale in Canada" and is missing risk statements, explains a news release. The product is also not authorized to contain technical-grade ethanol. 

Soaring demand for hand sanitizers due to COVID-19

Health Canada states that the demand for hand sanitizers increased drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it has temporarily allowed manufacturers to use technical-grade ethanol in alcohol-based hand sanitizers to keep up with demand.

Technical-grade ethanol sanitizers have more impurities than pharmaceutical- and food-grade ethanol, and manufacturers must choose from a list of Health Canada-authorized suppliers. Additionally, they must receive a No Objection Letter from the department before they can manufacture or distribute the product.

Manufacturers must also include specific risk statements on their product labels if the ethanol impurities exceed a certain level.

Product

Reason for
recall

Company

NPN or DIN

Lot Number(s)

Expiry Date

Salon Solution
Waterless Hand
Wash

Not authorized
for sale in
Canada; missing
risk statements;
product not
authorized to
contain
technical-grade
ethanol

CBON Cosmetic
Brands of North
America Inc.

Unlicensed
(no NPN or
DIN on the
label)

Not printed on
the label

Not printed on
the label

Unauthorized denaturants and medicinal ingredients

Counterfeit products may contain ingredients not listed on the label, dangerous additives or other contaminants. In addition, they may not contain the active ingredients Canadians would expect them to contain. Since counterfeit products are unauthorized and made with an unknown formulation, they may not be effective at killing bacteria and viruses, and may pose serious risks to health.

What you should do

  • Stop using the products identified in the table.
    • Follow municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste; or
    • Return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal
  • Contact the company if you would like more information about the recall
  • Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns

To help limit the spread of COVID-19, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that have been authorized for sale in Canada. Consult these resources for more information:

Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.