Public advisory

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

Starting date:
February 5, 2021
Posting date:
February 5, 2021
Type of communication:
Advisory
Subcategory:
Affects children, pregnant or breast feeding women, Affects children, pregnant or breast feeding women, Affects children, pregnant or breast feeding women
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Unauthorized products
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-74953

Last updated: 2021-02-08

Summary

  • Product: Unauthorized hand sanitizers and hard surface disinfectants by Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc.
  • Issue: Health Canada is warning Canadians that Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. are selling unauthorized hand sanitizers and hard surface disinfectants online that may pose health risks.
  • What to do: Stop using these products immediately. Consult your health care professional if you have used this product and have any concerns. Keep all hand sanitizers out of the reach of children. If swallowed, call a poison control centre or get medical help right away. Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

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.

Product Company Usage Quantity Reason for Recall
Protegel Hand sanitizer Protegel Quebec Inc. Commercial hand sanitizer 3.8L Not authorized for sale in Canada
Protegel formule avancée Protegel Quebec Inc. Hand sanitizer (gel) 4 oz Not authorized for sale in Canada
Protegel Antibactérien en forme de gel (75-82% éthanol) Protegel Quebec Inc. Hand sanitizer (gel) various sizes available Not authorized for sale in Canada; incorrect NPN
Protegel Nouvelle Formule Antibactérien Protegel Quebec Inc. Hand sanitizer (gel) various sizes available Not authorized for sale in Canada; false COVID claims
Protegel (75% éthanol) Protegel Quebec Inc. Hand sanitizer (spray) 10 mL / 120 mL Not authorized for sale in Canada
Protegel Protegel Quebec Inc. Surface disinfectant (spray) 473 mL Not authorized for sale in Canada
Protegel Protegel Quebec Inc. Hand sanitizer (wipes) 13 or 25 wipes Not authorized for sale in Canada
Protegel Protegel Quebec Inc. Surface disinfectant (wipes) 25 wipes Not authorized for sale in Canada
Mr. Wipes Protegel Quebec Inc. Surface disinfectant (wipes) 500 wipes Not authorized for sale in Canada
Closol Protegel Quebec Inc. Surface disinfectant (wipes) 205 or 400 wipes Not authorized for sale in Canada
Hangel Antibacterial Hand Wipes Hangel Canada Inc. Hand sanitizer (wipes) 32 wipes Not authorized for sale in Canada; ethanol content is less than required amount to be effective
Hangel Advanced Formula Hangel Canada Inc. Hand sanitizer (gel) various sizes and scents available Not authorized for sale in Canada; ethanol content is less than required amount to be effective
Hangel New Advanced Formula Hangel Canada Inc. Hand sanitizer (gel) various sizes and scents available Not authorized for sale in Canada; false COVID claims
Hangel Advanced Formula spray Hangel Canada Inc. Hand sanitizer (spray) 10 mL Not authorized for sale in Canada

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

To help limit the spread of COVID-19, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that have been authorized for sale in Canada. Consult:

More information about buying health products safely is available on Health Canada's website.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit Canada.ca/coronavirus.

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983
hc.media.sc@canada.ca

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
hcinfo.infosc@canada.ca