If you use hand sanitizers to kill germs, you're wasting money. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that hand sanitizers do not kill germs, and they are warning the makers of Purell to stop making such claims.
With record flu outbreaks this year and cases of the new flu strain conoravirus popping up across the country, consumers shouldn't rely on products like Purell to kill bacteria they may be exposed to.
In a letter sent to the manufacturer on January 17, the FDA says that it "is not aware of any adequate and well-controlled studies" that prove that hand sanitizers prevent infection from viruses like flu, ebola, MRSA, or norovirus. It also criticized Purell for claiming on its website that their products reduce "student absenteeism" by 51%.
Purell's parent company GOJO says it's taking "immediate action" and is already updating its website.