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FDA Seeks Tougher Rules For Antibacterial Soaps

Posted by samzenpus on from the getting-clean dept.

barlevg writes "It's long been a concern that the widespread use of antibacterial soaps is contributing towards the evolution of drug-resistant 'superbugs,' but as the Washington Post reports, the Food and Drug Administration also does not believe that there is any evidence to support that the antibacterial agents in soaps are any more effective at killing germs than simply washing with soap and water. Under the terms of a proposal under consideration, the FDA will require that manufacturers making such claims will have to show proof. If they fail to do so, they will be required to change their marketing or even stop selling the products altogether."

3 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Come on by therealkevinkretz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The bigger problem is antibiotic use on farms, and the FDA's recent toothless rules ( http://theweek.com/article/index/254057/why-the-fdas-new-antibiotic-rules-fall-short ) rely on the farmers who use them to mediate the results of cruel conditions (overcrowding, etc) and the companies who sell them to voluntarily cut back on their use. Good luck with that.

    Meantime they hit hard on Purell users. Bah.

    1. Re:Come on by blueg3 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, the first point is entirely true: widespread use on farms is where one of the major problems are.

      Home-use soaps are potentially a concern, but a much smaller factor.

      Your confusion is appropriate: the marketing of things as "antibacterial" is inconsistent and, mostly, stupid. There are soaps (and other consumer products, like plastics) that include a wide variety of different antibiotics, ones that include different kinds of bacteriacides altogether, and ones that include simple things like bleach and ethanol. Purell, which is ethanol, is certainly antibacterial, in that it's excellent at killing bacteria. But in this article, when they're talking about "antibacterial soaps", that's not what they mean. So consistent and helpful!

  2. Re:there is proof by barlevg · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The issue is not whether they kill germs. Hell, "old age" will eventually kill bacteria. The issue is whether antibacterial soaps are any more effective than just soap and water.