TORONTO – Health Canada says two people in Ontario have died after ingesting Bodico Hand Sanitizer that contained methanol, an undeclared ingredient.
The agency says Ontario’s Centre of Forensic Sciences tested two bottles of the product associated with the deaths.
They contained methanol, a highly toxic alcohol that can cause blindness or death if ingested, and not ethyl alcohol, the active ingredient listed for the product.
The agency says it is working with the manufacturer to test additional samples and to recall the affected products.
Initial tests found methanol in two eight-ounce products: Bodico Hand Sanitizer with the lot number B9002 and Bodico Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Vitamin E carrying the lot number B9001.
The Health Canada advisory issued Thursday did not provide any information about the two people who died and noted the labels of hand sanitizers advise external use only and should never be ingested.
The agency said it is working with the Chief Coroner of Ontario to investigate the deaths.
