FDA Says There's No Proof Antibacterial Soaps Work

In several previous posts (April 9, 2014; April 28, 2015; September 29, 2015) I shared articles on the concerns that antibacterial soaps were under consideration as to whether or not they were effective. Now the FDA has decided they are not.  Here's a copy of the article found in Yahoo! news in the health section last week.

The federal government has banned more than a dozen chemicals long used in antibacterial soaps, saying manufacturers failed to show they are safe and kill germs. Friday's decision primarily targets two once-ubiquitous ingredients — triclosan and triclocarban — that some limited animal research suggests can interfere with hormone levels and lead to drug-resistant bacteria. The chemicals have long been under scrutiny, and a cleaning industry spokesman said most companies have already removed the now banned 19 chemicals from their soaps and washes. The agency told manufacturers nearly three years ago that they must show their products are safe and effective. Regulators said Friday the data submitted for the chemicals did not meet federal standards for proving safety and effectiveness.

We have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

The FDA ban comes more than 40 years after Congress asked the agency to evaluate triclosan and dozens of other antiseptic ingredients. Ultimately, the government agreed to publish its findings only after a three-year legal battle with an environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council, which accused the FDA of delaying a decision on the safety of triclosan. The FDA is now undertaking a sweeping reevaluation of soaps and washes used by consumers and health professionals. The FDA decision does not apply to hand sanitizers, most of which use alcohol rather than antibacterial chemicals.

Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs. In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long term.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research