If you are living in one of the many areas that have issued a shelter-in-place or safer-at-home order, you may have noticed that liquor stores have been deemed ‘essential businesses,’ or, at least they have in Chicago. And while you might have mixed feelings about whether or not a liquor store is really essential, you cannot deny that brewers and distillers have proven their necessity as dozens of distillers and breweries have begun producing and distributing bottles of hand sanitizer to help support the growing need across America.
The novel coronavirus has overwhelmed numerous industries and induced drastic shortages of key supplies, one of which being hand sanitizer.
Today, distillers and brewers of all sizes have joined the front lines of the pandemic response effort, helping our country combat COVID-19 with hand sanitizer. The product serves a different audience and purpose, but distillers can still rely on carbon steel drums with food grade linings to get the job done. From the macro to micro operations, the industry has mobilized — shifting their operations, sourcing other key ingredients and acquiring the necessary government approvals.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has waived provisions of internal revenue law to authorize production of ethanol-based hand sanitizers by permitted distillers. The World Health Organization has released a recipe for high-quality hand sanitizer. And essential manufacturers such as Skolnik Industries are still working hard, manufacturing the carbon steel drums with food grade lining that distillers regularly depend on for their typical product, and their new foray into hand sanitizer production.
While the CDC’s first and foremost hand cleansing recommendation is to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is their top alternative.
If you have questions about utilizing carbon steel drums with food grade lining in the manufacturing of hand sanitizer, please reach out to a Skolnik representative today. We are proud to be able to provide support to our fellow essential businesses during this challenging time.