Travellers Liquors Ltd. Produces Hand Sanitizers
If you have been checking at stores and pharmacies, you would be out of luck for hand sanitizers. The item has sold out just about everywhere, as consumers prepare for COVID-19. But the folks at Travellers Liquors have come to the rescue since they already had in stock the main ingredient—high-proof alcohol. Relying on a formula from the World Health Organization, the company is now producing Sani-Bel Hand Sanitizers. Here is Hipolito Novelo with a report.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Hand sanitizer is one of the most effective weapons being used to battle the deadly COVID-19 virus. Since the spread of the disease across the world, there has been a shortage of this product. As the virus got closer to the Belize, the item sold quick and when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed and announced, PURELL hand sanitizers were virtually non-existent in stores and supermarkets. There is a demand for this product and Travellers Liquors Limited recognizes this demand. The company has begun producing Sani-Bell Hand Sanitizer.
Magali Gabb
Magali Gabb, General Manager Travellers Liquors Ltd.
“When the pandemic was getting worse abroad we decided to try to do it because we couldn’t by hand sanitizer ourselves. So we realized that we were, Belize was shot with the product.”
The company established communications with government officials, colleagues at the West Indies Rum and Spirit Association and with a formula provided by the World Health Organization, the production of Sani-Bell Hand Sanitizer got off
Jaime Perdomo
Jaime Perdomo, Manager, Travellers Distillery
“We got a formula from WHO and that is the formula we use with our alcohol at ninety-five percent alcohol. When we put in all the additives it comes down a little over seventy percent. That is the sanitizer.”
Gildon Sutherland, Blender, Travellers Liquors Ltd.
“The base of it is the alcohol at ninety-five percent proof. You add the hydrogen peroxide, glycerin and the citrus oil.”
Jaime Perdomo
“The orange oil comes from CPBL. So this is like ninety-five percent is completely Belizean.”
Gildon Sutherland
Gildon Sutherland
“You start with the alcohol then the hydrogen peroxide, the glycerin, citrus oil, add water. This sits for seventy-two hours before you use it.”
And before you use it, you are advised to read the labeling. It’s for external use only and not for consumption.
Magali Gabb
“So I don’t want anybody to think it is for consumption. It’s not for consumption.”
Jaime Perdomo
“If you look at the labeling, the label says specifically not to be consumed.”
Magali Gabb
“That is what we had to put on the label. We couldn’t just use an old label. We had to put all the warnings. We want to make it clear to keep away from children to keep it away from the fires. It is flammable. Don’t put it on your hand and go light the stove because you might get burn. It is for sanitizing and disinfecting.”
Since the rise and spread of COVID-19, Travellers’ sales have plummeted. The company’s new product ensures a sense of stability during this crisis.
Magali Gabb
“We just did a batch and we got close to fifty cases of each size. So we have the small size, personal size, the litre size and the half gallon size. The first batch gave us fifty cases each. The phones have been ringing off the hook and most of them are gone.”
Hipolito Novelo
“What about distribution?”
Magali Gabb
“Everybody is coming here picking it up. We have not had to deliver to anybody yet. They are all coming to get it here.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
