Guest Hospitalised After Ingesting Toxic Hotel Sanitiser
A person has been treated in hospital for acute methanol poisoning after ingesting a complimentary bottle of hand sanitiser supplied at an Australian hotel. The incident has triggered a national product recall overseen by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Recall Details and Contamination Source
The recalled product, Dr Schwartz Hand Sanitiser, was found to contain a dangerously high concentration of methanol, a substance not permitted in public-use sanitisers. The 60ml bottles were provided free to guests at the Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast between 31 August 2020 and 6 January 2021. Larger 200ml bottles, which were not complimentary, are also affected.
Queensland Health confirmed the contamination was identified directly because of the poisoning incident. "The methanol contamination was identified and the product recall initiated after an adult ingested this product in Queensland and suffered acute methanol poisoning," a spokesperson stated. The affected individual was hospitalised but has since been discharged.
Hotel Group's Response and Public Warning
The hotel's owner, Schwartz Family Co – which is Australia's largest privately owned hotel group – is managing the recall. The company imported the sanitiser from India. In a statement, the Paradise Resort's general manager, David Brook, linked the recall to a guest who "inappropriately consumed two bottles of the sanitiser, causing a medical reaction."
Health authorities across Australia have issued stern warnings. While skin exposure is unlikely to cause significant harm, ingesting methanol is highly toxic and can lead to serious injury or death. NSW Health publicised the recall, emphasising the critical need to follow product instructions.
Key actions for the public:
- Immediately stop using any Dr Schwartz Hand Sanitiser.
- Dispose of the product safely. In NSW, it can go in general waste; elsewhere, check with local council.
- Never drink or ingest hand sanitiser.
The Schwartz Family Co, which operates brands including Sofitel, Rydges, and Ibis, declined to comment further. Authorities report no other known hospital admissions related to the product at this time.
