Aruba Aloe Alcoholada and Hand Sanitizer Gel Recall Issued Over Methanol Exposure Risks

Aruba Aloe Balm N.V has issued a recall for Aloe Hand Sanitizer and Alcoholada Gel, after discovering the products pose a methanol poisoning risk for consumers.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Aloe Hand Sanitizer recall on April 5, informing consumers that approximately 40 lots of the Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer 80% and Alcoholada Gel may contain methanol.

Officials warn that exposure to methanol can cause numerous health risks such as, nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, unconsciousness, seizures, irreversible vision impairment, long-term harm to the central nervous system, or fatality.

Hand Sanitizer Methanol Recalls

Methanol is a wood alcohol that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin, such as when consumers use hand sanitizer. However, if it is ingested, methanol poisoning can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, including a risk of coma or death if it is ingested.

Although everyone using these products on their hands is at risk, the recalled hand sanitizers may pose a particular risk for young children or mentally handicapped individuals, who may accidentally ingest the toxic hand sanitizers. In addition, some teenagers or individuals with alcohol addictions have been found to intentionally consumer some alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which could quickly result in methanol poisoning with the Aruba Aloe hand sanitizer products.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. market saw an influx of hand sanitizers that were found to contain high levels of methanol. As a result, the FDA has issued more than 100 hand sanitizer recalls in recent years.

In the spring of 2020, a number of hand sanitizers that were labeled as containing ethanol actually tested positive for methanol alcohol contamination. In some cases, consumers drank those hand sanitizer products, leading to methanol poisoning, which was blamed for at least four deaths.

In October 2023, the FDA issued new guidance calling for a methanol limit of 200 parts per million for alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol.

Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer and Alcoholada Gel Recall

Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer is used for killing bacteria and germs that can cause further illness. Alcoholada Gel is used to temporarily relieve minor pains and itches caused by bug bites or other skin irritations.

Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer 80% can be distinguished by the dark green plastic bottle that states in white lettering “ARUBA ALOE Hand Sanitizer GEL 80% Alcohol Made in Aruba World’s Finest Aloe” , is 12 fl oz (355 mL), and has a barcode of 0 82252 03300 5.

The recalled Alcoholada Gel comes in two sizes: 2.2 fluid ounces (65 milliliters) in plastic bottles with barcode 0 82252 34030 1 and 8.5 fluid ounces (251 milliliters) in plastic bottles with barcode 0 82252 03120 9. These plastic bottles are clear and labeled with “Alcoholada Gel Pain Relieving Gel 0.5% Lidocaine Hydrochloride.”

Although Aruba Aloe Balm N.V has not received any injuries due the recalled products as of April 5th, consumers are advised to immediately stop using the products and properly dispose of them.

The two products were sold online at Aruba Aloe Balm’s website between May 1, 2021, and October 27, 2023.

Consumers with questions can contact Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. via email at recall@arubaaloe.com. If individuals have encountered any adverse health effects linked to the consumption or use of the recalled products,  the FDA advises them to consult their physician or healthcare provider.

Adverse reactions or quality concerns observed while using this product can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.