The Current State of Hand Sanitizers: Special Permitting allows Organic Alcohol Company to Donate to First Responders and Highly Vulnerable Citizens

ASHLAND, Ore., April 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has put in place provisions to relieve certain requirements to allow permitted distilled spirits businesses to fast-track the approved production of hand sanitizers in direct response to the Novel Coronavirus – COVID 19. Permitted Distilled Spirit Plants, DSP's, who manufacture hand sanitizer in strict accordance with the formula manufacturing guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) will also receive temporary exemptions to specific Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for the production of Hand Sanitizers.

Many hand sanitizers on the market are not what they seem, and with increased sanitary health concerns prompted by the current state of emergency necessitated by the COVID-19 virus, this shortage has not gone unnoticed.

The FDA has issued warnings to several companies that are not in compliance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) requirements. The CDC requires that the alcohol content in hand sanitizers must be at least 60% to adequately prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, widespread demand and price gouging has made it difficult for many to purchase hand sanitizer.

In response to the demand for hand sanitizer and for the health and safety of our local community, Organic Alcohol Company of Ashland, Oregon has committed to donating hand sanitizers to local first responders and the most vulnerable citizens.

Aaren Glover, CEO and Founder of The Organic Alcohol Company explains, " When I first learned of the ineffective products on the market, the shortage of hand sanitizer due to demand and hoarding, along with price gouging, our leadership team met and went to work finding solutions. We immediately began producing some test batches of simple yet effective sanitizing spray to offer as donations in our community and began implementing a plan to go into full-scale production of a Hand Sanitizer spray in accordance with WHO formulation guidelines and in compliance with TTB and FDA requirements. We've committed to donating to the Ashland Police Department, Ashland Fire department and Ashland Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross, Mercy Flights and Ashley Senior Housing. We intend to donate to many other high-risk and high exposure individuals, institutions and organizations on an on-going basis during this crisis. In addition, we will have this product available for purchase in our community and the larger market in the very near future."

There has been some concern circulating about the safety and effectiveness of homemade hand sanitizers. If formula guidelines by the CDC and WHO are followed, there is no need for concern as to the effectiveness of a homemade sanitizer.

Until the OAC hand-sanitizer line is available to the general public, DIY recipes are posted on the OAC website and feature the correct ratio of ingredients so people can make their own.

Effective immediately, and due in large part to the efforts of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, The Organic Alcohol Company is able to sell our high proof spirits to anyone making Hand Sanitizers in accordance with the WHO formula guidelines free of Federal Excise Tax.

About: The Organic Alcohol Company (OAC), located in Ashland, Oregon, is the first organic distillery in Oregon and among the first organic distilleries in the US. Founded in 2001, OAC specializes in producing and supplying the highest quality and most premium organic alcohol products available. The Organic Alcohol Company was founded on principles of sustainability and has been proudly serving botanical extractors, medicine makers and craft manufacturers for two decades. For more information visit The Organic Alcohol website or contact OAC and request an interview with CEO and Founder, Aaren Glover.

Contact:
Christina Polendey
The Organic Alcohol Company, General Manager
650 Mistletoe Road
Ashland, Oregon 97520
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 541.201.1050 extension 1007

SOURCE The Organic Alcohol Company