Health Canada recalls a list of hand sanitizers

Health Canada is recalling a number of hand sanitizers the agency says may contain industrial-grade ethanol.

The agency says industrial-grade ethanol may contain added chemicals that are not approved for use in Canadian hand sanitizers and, if used regularly, could cause dry skin, irritation or cracking.

Health Canada has recalled the following hand sanitizer products:

• Eltraderm Hand Sanitizer—70 per cent ethyl alcohol, made by Eltraderm Limited

• Hand Sanitizer, made by Contract Packaging Distributions Inc.

• Gel 700 Hand Sanitizer, made by Nature’s Own Cosmetic Company Inc.

• Sanilabs Hand Sanitizer 70 per cent ethanol, made by Sanilabs Inc.

• Walker Emulsions Hand Sanitizer, made by Walker Emulsions Ltd.

• Hand Sanitizer Désinfectant pour les mains, made by Walker Emulsions Ltd.

Health Canada is advising anyone using those products to immediately stop and consult a doctor if they are having any side effects.

Health officials in Nunavut are still encouraging people to wash their hands frequently with soap and hot water for 20 seconds to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.