Unauthorized hand sanitizers and hard surface disinfectants sold by Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. may pose health risks

Issue

Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. are selling unauthorized hand sanitizer and hard surface disinfectant products online. Unauthorized products may contain unknown ingredients and may be harmful if used. In addition, some of these unauthorized products were tested by Health Canada and found to contain less than the required ethanol to be an effective sanitizer. Other products had an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) belonging to a different product, while other products falsely claimed to prevent COVID-19. (See table below for details) Selling unauthorized natural health products or making false claims is illegal in Canada. Health Canada has repeatedly directed Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. to stop selling these unauthorized products; however, to date, neither company has responded. Health Canada will take additional enforcement actions, as necessary to stop this illegal activity. If other products that do not meet Health Canada requirements are identified, the Department will take appropriate action and inform Canadians by updating this list. Health Canada has taken steps to inform Canadians about false and misleading claims associated with COVID-19. On a weekly basis, Health Canada posts the list of advertising incidents related to COVID-19.

What you should do

• If you have purchased any Protegel Quebec Inc. or Hangel Canada Inc. products, stop using them. Consult a health care professional if you have used these products and have any concerns.
• Read the information Health Canada has posted on the risks of buying health products that make false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
• Follow municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste or return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
• Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.
• the list of Health Canada-authorized hand sanitizers; and
• the list of hand sanitizers authorized or registered in other jurisdictions that may not display a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number (DIN) but have been accepted for use in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.