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The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) Division of Consumer Affairs on Monday notified the public that on Tuesday, July 30, 2020, Albek de Mexico S.A. de C.V issued a voluntarily nationwide recall of specific lots and brands of hand sanitizer currently in United States distribution to the consumer level. The recall was a cautionary measure due to a detection of methanol in hand sanitizer samples manufactured by Albek when the product was presented for import into the United States.
NEXT Hand Sanitizer is one of the products that is being recalled and is currently sold in the USVI, according to DLCA. The affected Next Hand Sanitizer lots include those that end in; 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 and 1005 with a UPC of 650240053573.
As per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), substantial methanol exposure could result in serious health effects (including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, nervous system damage) or death. Persons using methanol-based products on their hands may be at risk.
Virgin Islands businesses that are selling these hand sanitizers (or “antiseptic) must take these products off the shelf immediately and return to the distributor or manufacturer, DLCA said. Consumers who purchased the product should discontinue its use and return the product to the retail store for a full refund. Retailers should contact the distributor or manufacturer for specifics on receiving a credit/refund for the returned product, DLCA said.
Consumers or merchants with questions may contact the Department of Health, Environmental Services Division at (340) 718-1311 in the District of St. Croix or (340) 774-9000 in St. Thomas/St. John District.
