Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Optimus Hand Sanitizer recall: Potential Methanol Contamination

Recall published 6+ years ago

Potential Methanol Contamination

Optimus Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugsOptimus Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 2)Optimus Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 3)Optimus Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared allergen or ingredient

This is a labelling recall rather than a contamination one: something that must be declared is in the product and is not on the label.

What the notice says: Risk Statement: Substantial methanol exposure could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, and permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

Why it matters: An ingredient that U.S. law requires to be declared is present but missing from the label. People who avoid that ingredient cannot make a safe choice from the packaging.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

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
July 20, 2020
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Optimus
Product type
Prescription & OTC drugs
Distribution
Nationwide
UPC codes
7501799115621, 7501799118998, 7501799118837, 7501799118981

Products covered by this recall

Hand Sanitizer

What the company announced

SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico -- LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. is voluntarily recalling all lots and all bottle sizes of The OPTIMUS Instant Hand Sanitizer due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol) that were shipped into the United States. The products were manufactured between April 27, 2020 and May 08, 2020.

Risk Statement: Substantial methanol exposure could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, and permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning. To date, LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Recalled Products

  • Product(s): Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer · NDCs: 75416-002-01 · Sizes: 8.5Fl Oz.(250 mL) · UPC: 7501799115621 · Lot #s & Expiration Dates: (L) 20-02 EXP 05/2022
  • Product(s): Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer · NDCs: 75416-001-04 · Sizes: 55 Gal (208 L) · UPC: 7501799118998 · Lot #s & Expiration Dates: See List
  • Product(s): Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer · NDCs: 75416-378-04 · Sizes: 1 GAL (3.78L) · UPC: 7501799118837 · Lot #s & Expiration Dates: (L) 20-03 EXP 05/22
  • Product(s): Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer · NDCs: 75416-004-01 · Sizes: 275 Gal (1,040 L) · UPC: 7501799118981 · Lot #s & Expiration Dates: (L) 5200 EXP 05/2022

55 Gal Blue Drum Lot Numbers:

  • L-1160 EXP 05/2022: L-1200 EXP 06/2022 · L-2160 EXP 05/2022: L-2200 EXP 06/2022 · L-3160 EXP 05/2022: L-3200 EXP 06/2022 · L-1180 EXP 05/2022: L-4200 EXP 06/2022 · L-2180 EXP 05/2022: L-5200 EXP 06/2022 · L-2190 EXP 05/2022: L-1210 EXP 06/2022 · L-2210 EXP 06/2022

Master Cartons Lot Numbers,

  • L-1150: L-1160 · L-2150: L-2160 · L-3150: L-3160 · L-4150: L-4160 · L-5150: L-5160 · L-6150: L-6160
  • L-1150: L-1170 · L-2150: L-2170 · L-3150: L-3170 · L-4150: L-4170 · L-5150: L-5170 · L-6150: L-1180
  • L-1150: L-3180 · L-2150: L-4180 · L-3150: L-6180 · L-4150: L-1190 · L-5150: L-2190 · L-6150: L-3190
  • L-1150: L-4190 · L-2150: L-5190 · L-3150: L-6190 · L-4150: L-1200 · L-5150: L-2200 · L-6150: L-3200
  • L-1150: L-4200 · L-2150: L-5200 · L-3150: L-6200 · L-4150: L-2180

The Hand Sanitizer is distributed in a 55 Gal (208 L) plastic blue drum and in 8.5Fl Oz. (250 mL), 1Gal (3.78 L), and 275 Gal (1,040L) clear plastic HDPE bottles or tank. All are labeled with a green and white label. The product was distributed throughout the United States.

Each product contains a lot number consisting of a letter followed by a dash four digits (example L-1180). This number can be found on the master cartons and written in black pen on the 55 Gal blue drum and the 275 Gal plastic tank.

The individual bottles are labeled with a lot number and expiration date in the format below. See table for lot numbers of each individual bottle.

(L) 20-02 EXP 05/2022

LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. is notifying its customers/distributors by recall letter and consumers via this press release. LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. is arranging for return and refund, if it is the case, of all recalled products.

Consumers/distributors/retailers that have the product subject to this recall should stop using/distributing the Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer and return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. during business hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (CT)

Toll Free: 5281 81316021

FAX: 5281 81316018

Email: [email protected]

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

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form 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.

FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use

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

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 7501799115621
  • 7501799118998
  • 7501799118837
  • 7501799118981

Lot or batch code

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

  • L-1160
  • L-1150 L-1160

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • 05/2022
  • 05/22
  • 05/2022. 55
  • 05/2022 L-1200
  • 06/2022
  • 05/2022 L-2200
  • 05/2022 L-3200
  • 05/2022 L-4200
  • 05/2022 L-5200
  • 05/2022 L-1210
  • 05/2022 LIQ-E S.A

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 8.5 Fl Oz
  • 250 mL
  • 208 L
  • 3.78 L
  • 040 L
  • 2022 L
  • 1150 L
  • 2150 L
  • 3150 L
  • 4150 L
  • 5150 L
  • 6150 L

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 Allergen

Optimus — This is a labelling recall rather than a contamination one: something that must be declared is in the product and is not on the label.

  1. Read the official notice above for the exact ingredient involved, then check whether anyone in your home avoids it.
  2. Warn anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including schools and childminders.
  3. Report any reaction to the FDA so it is recorded against this recall.
  4. If nobody here avoids it, the product is safe to eat; the refund is still available if you would rather return it.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. is arranging for return and refund, if it is the case, of all recalled products.

Company contact: LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. — Consumers: LIQ-E S.A. de C.V., 5281 81316021, [email protected] — Media: Ignacio Ortiz, 5281 81316021

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 Optimus prescription & otc drugs recalled?

Potential Methanol Contamination Risk Statement: Substantial methanol exposure could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, and permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 7501799115621, 7501799118998, 7501799118837; lot code L-1160, L-1150 L-1160; best-by date 05/2022 or 05/22. 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?

Read the official notice above for the exact ingredient involved, then check whether anyone in your home avoids it.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: LIQ-E S.A. de C.V. is arranging for return and refund, if it is the case, of all recalled products.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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