The United States agency, Food & Drug Administration, says any hand sanitizer that contains methanol could kill if it gets to the mouth.

The agency also warned that the volatile chemical could be dangerous when absorbed through the skin.

Hand sanitizer use became common globally after health authorities said that rubbing it on the hands in the absence of clean water and soap could help in reducing the possibility of being infected with the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has killed at least 584,355 people worldwide, with more than 13.6 million infected.

The FDA issued warnings about 59 different hand sanitizers, many of which are said to contain methanol, which can be dangerous when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

All of the sanitizers under the FDA warning list appear to have originated from Mexico.

In June, the FDA warned Americans not to use nine “toxic” hand sanitizers made by Mexico-based Eskbiochem SA de CV with, each containing varying amounts of methanol, some as high as 90 per cent.

Tests found that the CleanCare No Germ line contained 28 per cent methanol, while Lavar Gel contained a whopping 81 percent of the toxin, the FDA said.

Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and can be life-threatening when ingested.

According to the FDA, exposure to methanol-based hand sanitizer can cause nausea, vomiting, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or even death.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects,” the agency stated.

Ethanol is sugary and is produced from crops such as corn and barley, while methanol is made from wood.

Young children who accidentally ingest these products, as well as those who drink them as a substitute for alcohol, are most at risk at of methanol poisoning, according to the FDA.

The FDA advised consumers to stop using hazardous products and immediately dispose of them in appropriate waste containers, without flushing them down the drain.

Meanwhile, the agency advised people to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after going to the bathroom; before eating; after coughing; sneezing or blowing someone else’s nose.

If soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based sanitizer is recommended, which contains at least 60 percent ethanol, according to guidance from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC recommend ethanol-based hand sanitizers of at least 60 per cent if soap and water are unavailable

The agency now warns against use of hand sanitizers made by firms including AAA Cosmetica, 4E Global and DDI Multinacional.

Other brands include Tropicosmeticos, Limpo QUimocos and Maquiladora Miniara.

AAA Cosmetica have since announced that they are voluntary recalling all of its hand sanitizer which reportedly contains methanol.

The FDA warned that it had seen “a sharp increase” in hand sanitizer products that contain ethanol which have been contaminated with methanol.