Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Antica Farmacista Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer recall: Product contains benzene

Recall published 4+ years ago

Product contains benzene

Antica Farmacista Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Harmful chemical exposure

The hazard here is chemical rather than mechanical, so the right response is to stop using the product and to ventilate or clean anywhere it has been applied.

What the notice says: Depending on duration and level of exposure , it can result in cancers including leukemia, and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening.

Why it matters: A chemical that should not be present at this level was found in the product. Depending on the substance, the concern may be a burn or irritation on contact, or a long-term risk from repeated exposure.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

For a splash or spill, rinse the skin or eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes and remove contaminated clothing. If the product was swallowed, or if there is any trouble breathing, call Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222, which operates free and around the clock — or 911 if the person is collapsing, struggling to breathe or unconscious. Take the container or a photo of the label with you to any appointment.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
September 17, 2022
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Antica Farmacista
Product type
Prescription & OTC drugs
Distribution
Washington

Products covered by this recall

Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer

What the company announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 16, 2022 – Orlando, Florida. Salon Technologies International. Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Antica Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer (alcohol) Gel 65%, Lot 1166A. Expiration 6/18/2023 to the consumer level. Firm lab testing has found the product to contain benzene.

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation , orally ,and through the skin. Depending on duration and level of exposure , it can result in cancers including leukemia, and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening. Salon Tech International, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

The product is used to help reduce bacteria , that potentially can cause disease , when soap and water are not available.

512 bottles of Antica Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer (alcohol) Gel 65%, Lot 1166A, Expiration 6/18/2023 was distributed in the Seattle, Washington area.

Salon Technologies International. Inc. has notified its distributors by email and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using and return unused product to where it was obtained.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Salon Technologies International. Inc. by phone number ( 407-248-2948 ) or e-mail address [email protected] , Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm , EST.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm 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

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 1166A

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 6/18/2023

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Chemical

Antica Farmacista — The hazard here is chemical rather than mechanical, so the right response is to stop using the product and to ventilate or clean anywhere it has been applied.

  1. Stop using the product and keep it away from children and pets.
  2. If anyone has symptoms, call Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222 rather than guessing.
  3. Do not pour it down a drain or into a bin without checking local hazardous-waste rules, and never mix it with another cleaner.
  4. Ventilate the room if the product was sprayed or applied there.

If the claim stalls

Most recall claims are paid without argument. The ones that stall usually stall for a reason you can fix.

  • Check you used the recall channel rather than ordinary customer support — the two queues rarely talk to each other.
  • If the company is unresponsive or has stopped trading, report it to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, and try the retailer in parallel.
  • Paid by card? A chargeback for goods that are unfit for sale is a legitimate fallback once the company has had a fair chance.
  • Send the photos they asked for in the format they asked for. A missing date code is the single commonest reason a claim sits unprocessed.

Company contact: Salon Technologies International Inc. — Consumers: Salon Technologies International. Inc., 407-248-2948, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Antica Farmacista prescription & otc drugs recalled?

Product contains benzene Depending on duration and level of exposure , it can result in cancers including leukemia, and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 1166A; best-by date 6/18/2023. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop using the product and keep it away from children and pets.

Can I get my money back?

Check you used the recall channel rather than ordinary customer support — the two queues rarely talk to each other.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Washington.

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