Holidaymakers who have stayed at a popular Gold Coast resort are being urgently warned to dispose of a complimentary hand sanitiser gift, after tests revealed it was contaminated with a dangerous, toxic substance.
Urgent Recall Issued After Toxic Discovery
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an urgent recall for the 60ml bottle of Dr Schwartz hand sanitiser on Thursday. The product was given to guests of the Paradise Resort Gold Coast over a significant period, from August 31, 2020, to January 6, 2026.
Laboratory analysis found the sanitiser contained traces of methanol. This ingredient is highly toxic and can lead to serious and irreversible injuries or even death if ingested. Authorities have instructed anyone in possession of the product to stop using it immediately and throw it away.
How the Contamination Came to Light
The alarming discovery was triggered by a single incident. According to the resort's general manager, David Brook, one guest inappropriately consumed two bottles of the sanitiser, which resulted in a medical reaction.
This prompted Queensland Health to take samples for testing. The results were concerning: instead of containing only ethanol as stated on the delivery documentation, the sanitiser was found to also contain methanol. High concentrations of methanol are not permitted in public-use hand sanitisers in Australia.
Mr Brook confirmed that the resort has now contacted previous guests to advise them to discard the product. He also stated that all remaining stock has been surrendered to Queensland Health.
Resort's Response and Ongoing Safety Advice
In a statement, David Brook emphasised that over the five-year distribution period, the sanitiser had not caused any issues for guests or staff when used as intended. He reiterated that, like all hand sanitisers, it should never be consumed.
It was also revealed that larger 200ml bottles of hand sanitiser available at the resort were similarly contaminated. However, the ACCC noted these larger bottles were not given to guests.
NSW Health authorities have provided clear disposal instructions, urging people to place the product in their general waste bin. They also reminded the public to always follow label instructions and use sanitisers only for their intended purpose.
This incident serves as a critical reminder for consumers to be aware of product recalls and for suppliers to ensure rigorous safety checks are in place for all complimentary items, especially those containing potentially hazardous chemicals.
