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# Senators Quiz FDA on Hand Sanitizers
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/senators-quiz-fda-on-hand-sanitizers/
- Published: 2020-05-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:16:07.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5146863

U.S. senators **Joni Ernst** (R-IA) and **Chuck Grassley** (R-IA) have sent a [letter](http://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/05.26.20%20Letter%20to%20FDA.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com) to FDA asking for clarification on its temporary policy for manufacturing alcohol-based hand sanitizer products during the Covid-19 pandemic. In March, the agency released a temporary guidance on ethanol used in hand sanitizer production, which permitted biofuel manufacturers to produce alcohol for hand sanitizer. However, the senators wrote, on 4/15 FDA revised the guidance, which left many in the industry unclear of what standards need to be met.  

“As more of the economy gets reopened, the need for hand sanitizer at schools, restaurants, churches, factories, and other locations will continue to grow, they wrote. “While the FDA has taken action to prevent a potential shortage, further clarification is needed to help businesses have certainty on the future of hand sanitizer manufacturing. While understanding the need for safe, effective, and affordable hand sanitizer for our country, we ask that you immediately review your risk analysis and criteria for evaluating samples of ethanol from renewable fuel manufacturers.”