FDA Orders Stores To Cleanse Their Shelves Of Ineffective Hand Soaps

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday it has banned more than a dozen chemicals used in antibacterial soap, as the agency found they provide no benefit over traditional soap bars.

The FDA said there "isn't enough science" to conclude over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are in fact better at preventing illness compared to plain soap and water.

The FDA issued a proposed rule in 2013 that requires manufacturers to provide safety and efficacy data to continue marketing antibacterial products containing chemicals including triclosan and triclocarban. The FDA added that since then "very little information has been provided." As such, the FDA issued a final rule that antibacterial soap with the two chemicals will no longer be able to be marketed.

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"Following simple handwashing practices is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness at home, at school and elsewhere," said Dr. Theresa M. Michele of the FDA's division of nonprescription drug products. "We can't advise this enough. It's simple, and it works."

Of note, the FDA's final rule does not apply to hand sanitizers and hand wipes. It also does not apply to antibacterial soaps used in healthcare settings, including nursing homes and hospitals.

According to USA Today, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE: PG) already confirmed they will remove triclosan from their products already being sold to the public.

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