A person was hospitalised with acute methanol poisoning after ingesting a now-recalled hand sanitiser while staying at Australia’s largest privately owned hotel chain, Queensland health authorities say.
The Dr Schwartz Hand Sanitiser was recalled on Wednesday by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after it was identified to contain a high concentration of methanol.
High concentrations of methanol are not permitted in alcohol-based hand sanitiser or any product used by the public.
The regulator said 60ml bottles of the product were supplied to guests for free at the Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast between 31 August 2020 and 6 January, and that 200ml bottles – which had not been complimentary – were also affected.
New South Wales Health publicised the recall on Thursday, warning that, while significant toxicity from skin exposure was unlikely, methanol was highly toxic if ingested and could cause serious and irreversible injuries or death.
After health authorities announced the recall, the hotel’s general manager, David Brook, said “the recall occurred after one guest inappropriately consumed two bottles of the sanitiser, causing a medical reaction”.
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Queensland Health later confirmed that the methanol contamination was identified because someone was poisoned by it.
“The methanol contamination was identified and the product recall initiated after an adult ingested this product in Queensland and suffered acute methanol poisoning,” a health department spokesperson said.
“This person was treated in hospital and has since been discharged.”
They said that as of Thursday afternoon there had been no other known reported hospital presentations or admissions in Queensland related to the product.
“The community is reminded to use hand-sanitiser products as they are intended and follow the product label instructions,” the spokesperson said. “It is dangerous to drink or ingest hand sanitiser.”
The ACCC has said the recall is being overseen by the hotel’s owner, Schwartz Family Co.
Schwartz Family Co supplied the hand sanitiser to Paradise Resort after importing it from India, the ACCC said.
According to its website, Schwartz Family Co is Australia’s largest privately owned hotel group, with 14 hotels including the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and others in the Rydges, Ibis, Mercure and Hilton franchises.
Schwartz Family Co declined to comment beyond Brook’s statement.
Health authorities said anyone with the recalled hand sanitiser should immediately stop using it and dispose of it.
People in NSW can dispose of it in the general waste, while those in other states and territories should check with their local council, environment protection agency or disposal centre.
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