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HOUSEHOLD FROM PAGE 47 Sparshott said. “That’s why we’re responding to government calls to action to increase supply of essential products by rapidly innovating and redirecting some of our Australian manufacturing.” In addition to the donation of hand sanitiser, Unilever will also donate $1 million worth of essential homecare, personal care and food products to Foodbank to distribute across Australia, including household brands Comfort, Sunsilk, Love Beauty and Planet, Simple and Continental. Unilever has also contributed funds to help Foodbank NSW and ACT with contingency staff costs, following volunteer number reductions as a result of social distancing measures. “Foodbank has seen a 50 per cent increase in demand for food and grocery relief due to job loss and small business closures across the country, and donations such as food, personal care and cleaning products are critical,” Foodbank Australia CEO Brianna Casey said. “Thank you to everyone at Unilever for your ongoing commitment to Foodbank, which enables us to support Australians not only now during this COVID-19 crisis, but also for the long haul.” MEETING DEMAND WITH THE NON TRADITIONAL To meet hefty demand for household products, the industry has witnessed non-traditional household companies producing and offering alternatives to the regular cleaning and hygiene products seen on shelf. For instance, BioRevive claimed its DryEars product to be a “highly effective” alternative to hand sanitiser. According to the company, DryEars contains 95 per cent ethanol alcohol, which is a non-toxic solution and the key ingredient in hand sanitisers, making the product a safe and effective alternative. BioRevive says that while alcohol concertation above 60 per cent is deemed suitable for retail hand sanitisers, ethanol at 95 per cent covers the majority of clinically relevant viruses (including coronaviruses). Alongside the ethanol alcohol, DryEars is also said to contain glycerol, acetic acid and spearmint oil. BioRevive says acetic acids help to stop the growth of bacteria and fungus, while spearmint oil has antibacterial and anti- inflammatory properties that help kill bacteria. Roaster and distiller Mr Black, in partnership with Distillery Botanica, also joined the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by producing an 80 per cent ethanol sanitiser. Said to be made to the World Health Organisation specifications, the product is claimed to be stronger than most commercially available sanitiser and suitable for hands and surfaces. “At Mr Black, more than 60 per cent of our business is supplying the world’s best bars and restaurants, and we too have felt a profound impact on our business,” Mr Black founder Tom Baker said. “Being able to switch production to a product of extreme need right now, helps in the continued employment of our amazing team of distillery staff.” 48 RETAIL WORLD MAY, 2020