WIKIMEDIA, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPSHand washes and other cleansers labeled “antibacterial” invoke a sense of cleanliness and healthiness. But don't jump to any conclusions, says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After a review of the available safety information, the agency is floating a rule to require manufacturers of consumer antimicrobial products to demonstrate that they are indeed safe.
“New data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use of antibacterial soaps may outweigh the benefits,” Colleen Rogers, a lead microbiologist at FDA, said in a statement. There isn't any evidence that antibacterial soaps are any better at preventing disease than regular soap, and, according to the FDA, “there are indications that certain ingredients in these soaps may contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and may have unanticipated hormonal effects that are of concern to FDA.”
Of particular concern is a chemical called triclosan that is added to consumer products to ward off bacteria. The FDA’s proposed rule would require manufacturers of consumer products labeled as antibacterial to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their soaps. The rule would apply only to products ...
