Distilleries making Hand Sanitizer?

With the COVID-19 Pandemic putting a strain on the supply of hand sanitizer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to clean your hands is to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If that option is not available, they suggest using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol. The rush to stockpile sanitizer has caused a national shortage.

Some US based distilleries have started filling to void by poducing the much needed sanitizer suppy chain. Follow Spotlife Asia for the latest news and updates.

Based on a formula recomended by the World Health Organization (WHO) which contains a mixture of ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and other elemets, distilleries must follow strict rules under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

On March 18, the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau announced that companies with permits to distill spirits can immediately begin producing ethanol-based hand sanitizer.  Many of the local spirit makers plan to donate most of their products or keep minimal of any proceeds to cover costs.

“I know I have a unique opportunity to help out a little bit and keep my staff employed,” said Jeremy Elliott, owner of Vermont based Smugglers’ Notch Distillery . He added that 40% of the distillery’s business comes from bars and restaurants.

Bottles of Purell and other sanitizers are few and far between on store shelves, and if you do manage to come across a solution with at least 60% alcohol, chances are it has a hefty price tag. Also Read: The Facts & Myths of CoronnaVirus.

Tito’s Vodka recently warned fans not to use their vodka as hand sanitizer, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because it only contains 40% alcohol, while the CDC says hand sanitizer needs 60%. But on Monday, a representative for the Austin, Texas-based company said Tito’s will be making and distributing at least 24 tons of actual hand sanitizer — and giving it away.

Many distilleries are stepping in to help combat the hand sanitizer shortage by using the alcohol in their facilities to create their own alcohol-based solutions. Some are packaging it in small bottles while others are encouraging people to bring in their own containers for refills.Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta started making hand sanitizer and distributing it for free on Thursday.

Durham Distillery in Durham, North Carolina, is helping out its colleagues in the hospitality industry who are in need of sanitizing solution. The distillery developed a sanitizing solution of about 70% ethanol and distilled water and is donating it to hospitality workers so that they can wipe down high-touch surfaces like door handles and sink faucets.

Also Read: Social Media for Spirtuality during Social Distancing.