Health Canada has assessed the risks and benefits of hand sanitizers containing technical-grade ethanol and has concluded that, when used as directed and for a short period, the public health benefit to limit the spread of COVID-19 outweighs the risks. Based on its risk assessment, Health Canada is taking action immediately to ensure the safety of these products.

Specifically, Health Canada is limiting the period during which technical-grade ethanol can be used to produce hand sanitizers and is strengthening the labelling requirements for these products.

HMC