Multiple news on social media has been shared where people have claimed that sanitizer companies have changed the dates of the expiry on the sanitizer products.

News CLAIM: Multiple news on social media has been shared where people have claimed that sanitizer companies have changed the dates of the expiry on the sanitizer products.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: For the sake of Almighty God and everything dear to you, Dear Hand Sanitizer Merchants, Pls stop changing expiry dates on expired Hand Sanitizers.... Why are you people wicked like this na

IMPORTANT NOTICE: For the sake of Almighty God and everything dear to you, Dear Hand Sanitizer Merchants, Pls stop changing expiry dates on expired Hand Sanitizers.... Why are you people wicked like this na ... #COVID19Lagos pic.twitter.com/Ow5JeoBb8w

— Gawat Jubril A. (@Mr_JAGss) March 19, 2020

The package labels of affected unregistered Hand Sanitizers have no NAFDAC Registration Numbers, no batch numbers, no manufacturing and expiry dates; no names and full location addresses of manufacturers.

The quality and safety of the unregistered sanitizers are not guaranteed...

TRUTH & Verification: As per US Food and Drugs, question/answers on their website states

1. Do hand sanitizers have an expiration date? Are they still effective after the expiration date?
   A. OTC drug products generally must list an expiration date unless they have data showing that they are stable for more than 3 years. FDA does not have information on the stability or effectiveness of drug products past their expiration date Hand sanitizer produced under the temporary policies for hand sanitizer production and compounding may not have an expiration date listed because they are expected to be used during this public health emergency¹.

Other question and answers

1. Where should a hand sanitizer be stored?
   A. Hand sanitizer should be stored out of reach, and sight, of children. It should not be stored above 105°F (for example, it should not be stored in a car during the summer months).
2. Is hand sanitizer dangerous for children?
   A. For children under six years of age, hand sanitizer should be used with adult supervision. When used according to the directions on the Drug Facts Label, hand sanitizer is not dangerous for children.

Hand sanitizer is dangerous when ingested by children. Drinking only a small amount of hand sanitizer can cause alcohol poisoning in children. However, there is no need to be concerned if your children eat with or lick their hands after using hand sanitizer. It is also important to keep the product out of the eyes.

Every month, there are hundreds of calls to Poison Control for the unintentional ingestion of hand sanitizer. In March 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), calls to Poison Control related to hand sanitizer increased by 79% compared to March of 2019. The majority of these calls were for unintentional exposures in children 5 years of age and younger. Therefore, it is very important to store hand sanitizer out of reach and monitor children when they are using hand sanitizer.

1. What should you do if your child ingests hand sanitizer?
   A. If your child ingests hand sanitizer, call poison control or a medical professional immediately.

As per healthline.com, Sanitizer past its expiration date may still have some effectiveness, though, because it still contains alcohol, the active ingredient.

What active ingredients are found in hand sanitizer?

The active sterilizing ingredients in most hand sanitizers — gel and foam — are ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol.

Why does hand sanitizer expire?

Hand sanitizer’s active ingredient, alcohol, is a volatile liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to air.

Although common hand sanitizer containers protect the alcohol from the air, they’re not airtight, so evaporation can occur.

As the alcohol evaporates over time, the percentage of your hand sanitizer’s active ingredient drops, making it less effective.

The manufacturer estimates how long it’ll take for the percentage of the active ingredient to drop below 90 percent of the percentage stated on the label. That time estimate becomes the expiration date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizers that contain a minimum of 60 percent alcohol Trusted Source. The higher the percentage of alcohol, the more effective the hand sanitizer is at getting rid of bacteria and viruses.

VERDICT: False