Are hand sanitisers the next thing to be banned by the EU?

Dozens of common hand sanitisers sold across Europe could soon disappear from stores due to concerns that ethanol, their main ingredient, may be linked to an increased cancer risk.

For years, alcohol-based hand rubs have been widely trusted in hospitals and homes alike. The World Health Organization has even classified them as “essential medicines.”

Now, European Union regulators are reviewing the safety of these products, with some officials suggesting a possible ban or replacement of ethanol in hand sanitisers.

Experts warn such a move could create serious problems for healthcare. Alexandra Peters from the University of Geneva emphasized, “Hand hygiene saves millions of lives each year. Ethanol is the backbone of infection control — you can’t just swap it out.”

Concerns have also been raised about alternatives. Some suggest that replacements like isopropanol could carry even greater health risks, complicating efforts to maintain safe hygiene practices.

The UK, no longer subject to EU regulations, would not face the same restrictions, but across the rest of Europe, the potential ban could significantly change how hospitals and households manage infection control.

This controversy highlights how everyday products we rely on — like a simple squirt of hand sanitiser — can pose complex questions about safety, health, and trust. It leaves consumers wondering whether they would continue using these products if the risks were confirmed.

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