Guest hospitalised after ingesting recalled Dr Schwartz hand sanitiser

A person was hospitalised with acute methanol poisoning after ingesting a now-recalled hand sanitiser while staying at the Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland health authorities said. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recalled Dr Schwartz Hand Sanitiser after it was identified to contain a high concentration of methanol.

The regulator said 60ml bottles of the product were supplied to guests for free at the Paradise Resort between 31 August 2020 and 6 January, and that 200ml bottles
50 which had not been complimentary
50 were also affected. The ACCC said high concentrations of methanol are not permitted in alcohol-based hand sanitiser or any product used by the public.

After health authorities announced the recall, the hotels general manager, David Brook, said "the recall occurred after one guest inappropriately consumed two bottles of the sanitiser, causing a medical reaction". Queensland Health said: "The methanol contamination was identified and the product recall initiated after an adult ingested this product in Queensland and suffered acute methanol poisoning," and added: "This person was treated in hospital and has since been discharged." NSW Health publicised the recall and warned that while significant toxicity from skin exposure was unlikely, methanol is highly toxic if ingested and could cause serious and irreversible injuries or death.

Key Topics

Health, Dr Schwartz Sanitiser, Schwartz Family Co, Paradise Resort, Accc, Methanol