Antibacterial soaps and washes have now been banned by the Food and Drug Administration because of certain dangerous ingredients. On Friday, the FDA issued a final rule that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap. Certain ingredients contained in antibacterial soaps lack proof to be safe and effective for long-term daily use, according to the FDA. The director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research states there is no scientific information that confirms antibacterial washes are more efficient at preventing the spread of germs. Before the final rule is effective, companies will have one year to either remove their products from the market or remove the active ingredients.
The ruling has been met with some pushback from the American Cleaning Institute, who claims antibacterial soaps are safe and effective. According to the ACI’s statement, antibacterial soaps manufacturers plan to provide additional science and research to the FDA. In 2013, the FDA required antibacterial hand soap and body wash manufacturers to produce proven effectiveness and safety of daily use. The ruling on Friday stems from the failure of manufacturers to provide such data, according to the FDA.
Many medical professionals find a possible link between daily use of consumer antibacterial soaps and the growth of dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. A molecular biology and microbiology Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine co-authored the study and believes the daily use of these soaps can be more harmful than helpful.
Dangerous health and beauty product ingredients have led to serious and even deadly reactions. If you have been injured by the daily use of a dangerous product, please contact Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC.