FDA: Antibacterial soaps contain harmful ingredients, not good for long-term, daily use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that no evidence supports claims that antibacterial soap is more effective than plain soap.

According to a news release, the FDA issued a final rule saying that over-the-counter antiseptic wash products with certain ingredients can no longer be marketed. Manufacturers were not able to show that the ingredients are more effective for preventing sickness and the spread of infections, and are safe for long-term, daily use. Some manufactures have already started removing these ingredients.

The agency stated that the rule applies to wash products that have one or more of 19 specific active ingredients. That includes common ingredients like triclosan (liquid soaps) and triclocarban (bar soaps). The release stated that the rule does not apply to hand sanitizers or wipes.

The rule was first proposed in 2013 after data came out that suggested long-term exposure to those ingredients could put consumers at risk for health related issues like bacterial resistance or hormonal effects.

Now that the proposed rule is final, manufacturers will have one year to comply, by removing products from the market, or reformulating them.