PUTRAJAYA, Aug 21 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has banned the sale of Chomel Hand Sanitiser after three batches of the product were found to contain methanol above the permitted limit.
The director of Pharmaceutical Services took action after the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency tested the products under its market surveillance programme for the quality of notified cosmetic products.
The MOH said that the test results found the affected product batches did not comply with the specifications stipulated under the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia
“The affected product batches are BN111025, BN01026, and BN061225,” it said in a statement today.
As such, the MOH urged the public not to purchase or use products from the affected batches.
It added that methanol is not permitted as an active ingredient in cosmetics, including hand sanitisers, except in very small quantities for specific purposes, and that uncontrolled use may pose serious health risks.
“Uncontrolled exposure to methanol can pose serious health risks. Exposure to methanol through the skin can cause skin and eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, nervous system damage, and visual impairment, including blindness.
“Excessive exposure to methanol or accidental ingestion can result in coma and death,” the MOH said.
As such, it has instructed sellers and distributors to immediately stop selling and distributing the affected products, as doing so violates the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
Individuals found guilty of offences under the regulations may be fined up to RM25,000 or imprisoned for up to three years, or both, for a first offence, and fined up to RM50,000 or imprisoned for up to five years, or both, for subsequent offences.
Meanwhile, companies can be fined up to RM50,000 for a first offence and up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences.
The MOH also advised the public to immediately stop using the product and seek medical attention if they experience discomfort or adverse reactions.
