Food and Drug Dept recalls Purcill hand sanitisers

The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) issued an immediate recall of Purcill hand sanitisers from the local market, owing to its substandard quality. The brand of hand sanitisers only has 53 per cent alcohol, not 62 per cent as stated on the labels.
The Department said this was way below the stipulated strength of at least 60 per cent of alcohol as is required for efficacy. This constitutes a direct violation of the laws of Guyana, specifically the Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section III, Part 10 (1) and the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977, Section

58 (2), the Department said in a statement.
According to the GA-FDD said it received a consumer complaint regarding the sanitiser’s use and efficacy, so it was analysed in the Department’s laboratory where the misrepresentation was discovered.
“Our Excise Laboratory on the 26th March, 2020 issued results which revealed that the percentage (%) alcohol is only 53 per cent in the Purcill Brand Hand Sanitiser and not 62 per cent as stated on the label. This is way below the stipulated strength of at least 60 per cent of alcohol as is required for efficacy. This constitutes a direct violation of the Laws of Guyana, Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section III, Part 10 (1) and the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977, Section 58 (2),” the statement related.
The Department was able to peruse invoices furnished by Andrews Enterprise of Lot 00 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville & 1 E 1/2 Durey Lane & Austin Street, Campbellville, representing the sale of 2350 bottles of 237ml. The Department’s efforts to effect seizure of this product from the shelves of retail outlets and visits to the alleged distributors were stymied because of the current COVID-19 situation
Consumers are, therefore, advised not to use this product since the expected results cannot be guaranteed, particularly for the sanitizing of hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the alleged distributors will be contacted and asked to make immediate contact with the Department, the GA-FDD stated.
“This product is purportedly made in China as claimed by the label ‘Made in China’ and ‘Distributed by Congreat Enterprises Inc, Miami, FL-33178 U.S.A.’ Manufacturers and importers of sanitisers are asked to ensure labels of sanitising agents are duly approved by the Department and obtained the necessary licence or permits before releasing for sale on our local market. Consumers are reminded to ensure that labels of sanitisers declare the percentage (%) alcohol and the name of all the active ingredients,” the GA-FDD reminded.
Earlier, the GA-FDD warned that any manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer found in the practice of diluting any sanitising agent or marketing a sanitising agent that is substandard (less than 60 per cent ethyl alcohol or 70-75 per cent Isopropanol) will be prosecuted according to the Food and Drug Act, Chapter 34:03, Part III, Section 10 and the Food and Drug Regulation, Regulation 72.