FED - Importance of Product Safety and Efficacy for Hand Hygiene Solutions

Decoding the Bottle

December 2, 2025

The FDA and other global regulatory agencies continue to crack down on product ingredients and manufacturing controls for hand hygiene solutions, including taking action against products formulated with methanol or 1-propanol. (1) As a global leader in infection prevention solutions and expertise, Ecolab is committed to providing the highest quality product to our customers. 

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Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on more than a century of innovation, we deliver comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies for customers around the world.

"The FDA and other global regulatory agencies continue to crack down on product ingredients and manufacturing controls for hand hygiene solutions, including taking action against products formulated with methanol or 1-propanol. (1) As a global leader in infection prevention solutions and expertise, Ecolab is committed to providing the highest quality product to our customers. "

Emilio Tenuta, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer. Expert on Water Stewardship and Climate Action Solutions.

The Future of Water is Collaborative

The Ecolab Watermark Study shows there is still a prevailing sense of hope that water concerns can be effectively addressed. More than 60% of consumers in each region believe that water scarcity can be effectively addressed. However, this hope can only be fully realized through more concerted efforts, especially from those of us in the private sector. Only through bold, cross-sector partnerships can we accelerate coordinated action and build a truly water-resilient future.

Forming Foundational Partnerships

At Ecolab, we don't just talk about collective action, we’ve been setting the industry standard for years. In 2020, Ecolab, along with Microsoft, Gap Inc., and others, co-founded the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC). This CEO-led initiative under the UN Global Compact and in partnership with the Pacific Institute now consists of more than 40 members across public and private sectors to address the global water crisis. Together, we work toward the ambition to reduce stress in 100 local basins around the world to support more than 3 billion people with access to water and develop new strategies for water-resilient value chains. This initiative connects corporate resources with partner expertise to address a crisis that has both human and business components.

Importance of Product Safety

  • If soap and water are not readily available, the CDC recommends consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. (3) 
  • Always refer to the product label before use. 
    • Hand sanitizers sold in the United States must comply with strict labeling guidance.
    • Hand sanitizer must be labeled with an expiration date. It is not recommended to be used if that date has passed. 
    • If the product supplier is following FDA guidance, the label on the bottle should include:
      • Drug Facts Label
      • Words: Active Ingredient
      • Warnings Section
      • Purpose of the Product
      • Name and address of the manufacturer
  • Look for clues of quality issues before and during use:
    • The product should look even throughout, and not have separation of color or opacity.
    • If the product produces an unexpected odor it could be a sign of impurities in ingredients.

Media Contact H2 Heading - About Ecolab

A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on more than a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $16 billion, employs approximately 48,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, high tech, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets. www.ecolab.com

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Contact:

Kim Del Alcazar

+1-612-483-3698

MediaRelations@Ecolab.com

March 21, 2025

(ECL-C).

  1. Bloomberg Law, “AI Computing on Pace to Consume More Energy Than India, Arm Says,” April 2024. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-computing-on-pace-to-consume-more-energy-than-india-arm-says.
  2. Ecolab analysis of data from Lei, N., & Masanet, E. (2022) and Goldman Sachs (2024). 

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