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Perfume and Alcohol Makers Are Now Making Hand Sanitizer

by Rudy Sanchez on 03/17/2020 | 2 Minute Read

In times of crisis, many companies find ways to alter their manufacturing operations to produce goods vital to national security. 

Of course, usually, that’s in time of war. Famously, automotive manufacturers such as Ford changed their factory lines to produce aircraft for World World II. While the world is currently in the throes of a global pandemic, fragrance makers, alcohol distillers, and breweries are switching gears to produce hand sanitizer, which is in critical supply, exacerbated by panic buying and opportunistic resellers.

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As reported by CNN, some distillers, such as Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery and fellow Georgian spirit maker Moonrise Distillery have started making hand sanitizer to make available to the community. In Missouri, Lazy Magnolia Brewery is also producing hand sanitizer instead of beer. 

Fashion conglomerate LVMH, owners of the Louis Vuitton line, as well as other luxury fashion labels, announced that it would be shifting production of perfume to hand sanitizer to address shortages in their home country of France, which is currently in the grips of a nationwide coronavirus outbreak. The fashion company will be providing the gel sanitizer to health authorities free of charge.

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Meanwhile, the US Federal Drug Agency (FDA ) has eased rules surrounding the manufacturing of hand sanitizer, allowing licensed physicians and pharmacists to produce the product using a recipe the agency has laid out.

While the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic are as yet uncertain, one thing is clear—don’t make your own hand sanitizer using Tito’s Vodka. The craft spirit, while packing a punch, is only 40% ethanol by volume, while the CDC is recommending using sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

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While stocks of hand sanitizer are getting replenished by distillers, breweries, and perfume makers, continue washing your hands with soap, avoid large crowds, cover your mouth when you sneeze, don’t touch your face, and follow other recommendations set out by the CDC. 

And maybe pour yourself a Tito’s, to drink, not to clean your hands.