Dubai has recalled and banned the sale of four hand sanitisers, after a fresh round of inspections found they contained hazardous chemicals.
The recall came just two days after Abu Dhabi withdrew four hand sanitisers due to their low alcohol content, making them ineffective for killing viruses.
On Wednesday, Dubai Municipality said the Lulu hand sanitiser 500ml and 250ml, Cosmo 65ml, Ziva 250ml, Feah 50ml and Ameya Isopropyl Alcohol 70ml had been pulled from supermarket shelves.
The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi recalled the Rosa Bella, Dyna+ and Lulu hand sanitiser with aloe and vitamin E products.
They were the same Lulu branded sanitisers that Abu Dhabi recalled on Monday.
V Nandakumar, the chief communications officer at Lulu, told The National that any customers who bought the products would be refunded.
“The issue was with one particular batch of one particular variant, aloe and +vitamin E, which has since been removed from stores. However, we have more than five different brands of hand sanitisers available in stores, which is exactly as per regulations,” he said.
Municipality inspectors took 102 samples of the products for conformity tests and laboratory analysis.
Results showed that six samples included methanol, which is a colourless liquid with a pungent odour used as a solvent.
The municipality warned it is highly toxic and hazardous to humans because it affects the nervous system, causes dizziness, headache, irritation to the skin and respiratory system and causes blindness in severe cases of poisoning.
The products were withdrawn from the market.
The municipality registers all antiseptics and disinfectants, including hand sanitisers, on its ‘Montaji’ system after they are considered safe to use and meet approved standards.
Consumers can use the ‘Montaji’ app to scan products to see if they are registered with authorities.
To report non-conforming products, public can call the municipality's toll-free number 800900, or via the Dubai 27/7 app or website.
