The following antiseptic/antibacterial skin cleansers or hand sanitizers meet Health Canada’s requirements and are authorized for sale in Canada.
To date, there are no hand sanitizers in Canada approved with COVID-19 related claims. Although they have not been tested for effectiveness against viruses such as coronaviruses, hand sanitizers can help reduce the risk of infection by, or spread of, microorganisms.
Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by Health Canada.
How to find out which antiseptic skin cleansers or hand sanitizers meet Health Canada’s requirements for sale in Canada.
- Locate the Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the product label
- Look for that number on the hand sanitizers list
Personal practices, such as proper hygiene help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
- use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available
- keep hand sanitizers out of reach of children and always supervise them when using hand sanitizers, as ingesting even small amounts of sanitizer can be fatal
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers must carry/include the following warnings on the label:
- For external use only.
- When using this product avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Stop use and ask/consult a doctor/physician/health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional if irritation develops.
- Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, call a poison control centre or get medical help right away.
- Flammability warning: Keep away from open flame and sources of heat.
As with all drug products, Health Canada recommends that users always follow the directions for use on the product label. Never eat or drink hand sanitizers as ingesting even small amounts can be dangerous or fatal.
