Web Report

Following the decision of health authorities to recall a few brands of hand sanitisers from the market, UAE’s leading retail business Lulu Group has agreed to provide refunds to anyone bringing back the product to the stories.

A Lulu Group official has confirmed that all recalled variants of the hand sanitizers have been removed from its stores. “We will refund anyone bringing back this particular product to our stores,” said Nandakumar V, head of marketing and communications, Lulu Group International.

Health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Municipality have recalled several hand sanitisers products from markets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai due to non-conformity to international quality standards as of March 30.

Rosa Bella, Dyna+ and Lulu hand sanitisers with aloe and Vitamin E are the products recalled for having less than 60 per cent alcohol content, said the Department of Health in a statement.

Today, Dubai Municipality (DM) withdrew six types of hand sanitisers that were proved non-compliant with the approved specifications.

“A total of 102 samples of different sizes were taken from the products circulated in the market for the purpose of conformity tests and laboratory analysis. The tests showed that six samples did not comply with the approved specifications due to the presence of methanol, which is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor used as a solvent,” the municipality said.

The statement added, “It is highly toxic and hazardous to human health, and affects the nervous system, causes dizziness, headache, irritation of the skin and respiratory system, and causes blindness in severe poisoning cases.”

“The issue was with one particular batch of one particular variant – Aloe +Vitamin E- which has since been removed from stores. However, we have over five different brands of hand sanitizers available in stores, which are exactly as per regulations,” explained Nandakumar.