Triclosan and Other Antibacterial Ingredients Banned from OTC Soaps

By the Editors

Over-the-counter hand soaps and body washes can no longer contain certain antibacterial ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, the FDA announced on Friday.

Despite the abundant use of these 19 ingredients in consumer products, the manufacturers have not shown that these ingredients are more effective than nonantibacterial soap and water for illness prevention, the FDA said. In addition, they have not shown that these ingredients are safe for frequent, long-term use — recent data suggest that widespread antiseptic use could increase bacterial resistance.

The new rule doesn't apply to hand sanitizers or antibacterial wipes.