FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Clarcon Hand Sanitizer and Hand Protectant

Officers from the U.S. Marshals Service seized all skin sanitizers and skin protectants, including ingredients and components, from the Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory in Roy, Utah, according to a statement released by the Food and Drug Administration.

Clarcon products may contain harmful bacteria: analyses of several antimicrobial skin sanitizer and skin protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, some of which can cause infections of the skin and underlying tissues. According to the FDA, these infections can be very serious, resulting in permanent damage if left untreated without proper medical, or even surgical, attention. Therefore, the FDA has issued a warning to all consumers to discontinue use of any Clarcon hand disinfectant or protectant products, which are marketed under several different brand names.

The FDA first discovered the problem in June, and Clarcon agreed to a voluntary recall. However, the U.S. Marshals Service confiscated the products, ingredients and components, after Clarcon failed to destroy the recalled items. Moreover, the inspection in June also revealed serious violations of the FDA’s regulations, including poor practices that led to the contamination. No cases of infection have been reported to the FDA; however, the FDA said it is protecting the public by preventing the products from entering the marketplace.