Are Disinfectants Hand Sanitizers?…130 Companies Caught for False and Exaggerated Advertising

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 15th that it has identified 130 companies that falsely and exaggeratedly advertised sterilizing disinfectants, which should not be used directly on the human body, as hand sanitizers and hand cleansers. Sterilizing disinfectants are food additives used on the surfaces of equipment, containers, and packaging in food manufacturing companies or restaurants to prevent food poisoning, and must be removed before coming into contact with food.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety inspected 635 online sales sites as false and exaggerated advertisements surged by exploiting consumer anxiety amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and found 130 companies and 248 sales sites engaged in unfair advertising.

The companies caught in this investigation sold sterilizing disinfectants as hand sanitizers, hand cleansers, and hand washing products, making false advertisements such as "safe for the human body even if accidentally ingested" and "can be used on the whole body." They also falsely and exaggeratedly advertised these products as disinfectants, sterilizing solutions, and quarantine supplies to prevent COVID-19.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission and others to immediately block these sites. The companies identified can be checked on the Food Safety Korea website (www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr).

The Ministry emphasized, "Sterilizing disinfectants are not intended for direct use on the human body, and their sterilizing effects against the coronavirus have not been verified."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.