The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today proposed a rule that would require companies that make antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to show that the products are safe for long-term use and are better than regular soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of infections.
Under the FDA's proposal, manufacturers that don't demonstrate the safety and effectiveness would be required to reformulate the products or relabel them to remain on the market, the agency said in a statement today. The FDA detailed its proposal in a 130-page report posted in the Federal Register and is taking comments on it over the next 180 days. Today's rule proposal doesn't apply to hand sanitizers, wipes, or antibacterial products used in healthcare settings. The FDA's proposed rules are part of a broader effort to weigh the benefit and risks of certain active ingredients in antibacterial products, including triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban in bar soaps. Scientists have raised concerns about a possible role of widespread antiseptic use in the development of antibiotic resistance. The FDA said in... |
