Harmful Bacteria Found in Hand Sanitizers

FDA issues warning on two Puerto Rican brands

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2010 5:20 AM CST

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Harmful Bacteria Found in Hand Sanitizers — Puerto Rican authorities have been seeking out supplies of the tainted brands and removing them from store shelves. (Shutter Stock)

The FDA has issued a warning on two Puerto Rican brands of hand sanitizer that are liable to coat your hands in dangerous bacteria instead of sanitizing them. Bee-Shield Hand Sanitizer and MD Quality Hand Sanitizer, made in Puerto Rico and sold only there, have high levels of Burkholderia cepacia. The bacteria can cause serious harm if used on skin with cuts or abrasions.

The plant which makes the sanitizer has now been closed. Puerto Rico's consumer affairs secretary said it belonged to a juice company that rushed into the sanitizer business during the swine flu pandemic. "Maybe they were making passion fruit juice one day and the next day they made hand sanitizers in the same container," he told AP.
(More FDA stories.)

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