FDA warns: ads for popular hand antiseptics fool users

Federal health officials urge GoJo, the maker of Purell products, to stop misleading consumers, saying its hand sanitizer is effective in preventing serious illness, writes Fox Business.

Фото: Depositphotos

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appealed to the company because of statements posted on the Purell website and on social media that over-the-counter hand sanitizers supposedly can reduce the risk of diseases, including Ebola, norovirus, influenza and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

“We are aware of no data indicating that Purell Healthcare Advanced Sanitizer products, as formulated and labeled, are recognized by qualified experts as safe and effective for use in the conditions suggested, recommended, or prescribed in their labeling,” the letter says.

Samantha Williams, GoJo's senior director of corporate communications, told FOX Business that the company took action immediately after receiving the letter and “began updating the relevant website and other digital content in accordance with FDA guidelines.”

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“It is important to emphasize that the FDA letter was not related to the safety or quality of our products or our manufacturing processes. Our products can and should be used as part of good hand hygiene practices to reduce germs,” Williams said. “Our intention has always been and remains one: to adhere to FDA guidance.” Together, we promote and share the latest scientific knowledge in the field of hygiene to improve public health. Uncompromising integrity is a core value of our business and we apply this principle to everything we do.”

This precaution has arisen against the background of the fact that the whole world is closely watching the new viral disease. This refers to the outbreak of coronavirus, which has already killed more than 130 people in China, and the number of cases has exceeded 6 thousand (according to January 29, 2020).

Over the past few decades, hand sanitizers have become ubiquitous: they are offered in workplaces, schools, restaurants and other public places to reduce the spread of germs. Since 2009, about 90% of disinfectants sold to the public contain either ethanol or ethyl alcohol, agency officials said.

Among the products that came to our attention are the improved Purell hand sanitizer with soft foam, the improved Purell hand disinfectant gel and the improved ES6 starter kit with ES6 soft foam according to the FDA. The agency noted that the listed products are widely used in various conditions, including sports facilities, schools and offices.

One of the statements cited by the FDA reads: "Kills over 99,99% of the most common microbes that can cause disease in healthcare facilities, including MRSA & VRE."

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Previous studies have shown that disinfectants with an alcohol concentration of 60% to 95% are more effective at killing germs than disinfectants with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcoholic hand products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hand sanitizers without high alcohol concentrations of 60% to 95% "simply reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them directly," the CDC says.

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