May 4, 2021

The latest problem? A nationwide hand sanitizer recall on 11 products that were available for purchase at Ulta, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls.

Scentsational Soaps & Candles, Inc., is voluntarily recalling 11 of its own products after “testing conducted by our firm revealed the presence of methanol (wood alcohol), benzene, and acetaldehyde.”

The recall includes the Ulta Beauty Collection Fresh Lemon Scented Hand Sanitizer, sold in California, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Additionally, Scentsational Soaps & Candles, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a variety of products from the SS Black and White Collection and SS Photo Real Collection hand sanitizer lines.

The recalled SS Black and White Collection and SS Photo Real Collection hand sanitizers, packaged in 3.38 and 3.4 fluid ounce spray bottles, were sold at TJ Maxx stores in Indiana, North Carolina, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Texas. These recalled hand sanitizers were also sold in Marshalls stores in Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Virginia. 

Currently, Ulta Beauty has removed the recalled Ulta Beauty Collection products from stores and online shopping.

What was the impetus behind the voluntary recall? The presence of methanol, benzene, and acetaldehyde in the products.

Methanol is toxic and can be absorbed through the skin.

Methanol exposure can result in blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, coma, nervous system damage, and even death. Previously this year, the FDA has issued warnings about other methanol tainted hand sanitizer products.

In addition to the severe risks methanol can pause, benzene and acetaldehyde were the two other toxic ingredients behind the voluntary recall by Scentsational Soaps & Candles, Inc.

“There is a reasonable probability that benzene present at levels above the maximum daily exposure recommendations can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening. Additionally, animal studies have shown that acetaldehyde can possibly cause cancer in humans. To date, the company has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to this recall,” according to the company’s recent news release.

This latest voluntary recall is far from the first problem with tainted hand sanitizers within the last two years. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, sales of hand sanitizer boomed, along with toxic formulations.

To date, the FDA has issued warnings about a wide variety of toxic hand sanitizers including:

• Products shaped like food, candy, or drinks, which could encourage consumption, especially by children 
• Hand sanitizers contaminated with methanol
• Products contaminated with microbial bacteria
• Sanitizers contaminated with 1-propanol
• A nation-wide import ban on all hand sanitizers imported from Mexico

“Consumer use of hand sanitizers has increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, especially when soap and water are not accessible, and the availability of poor-quality products with dangerous and unacceptable ingredients will not be tolerated,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs in an official statement.

Anyone experiencing negative reactions from the recalled products should report problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

• Complete and submit the report online
• Or, call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

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