FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed From Consumer Soaps - NBC News

A well overdue move by the FDA. The industry rolled over pretty quicklly...Another marketing hype !

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that soap doesn't need added antiseptics to make it work any better.

"Washing with plain soap and running water remains one of the most important steps consumers can take to avoid getting sick and to prevent spreading germs to others," the FDA said.

"If soap and water are not available and a consumer uses hand sanitizer instead, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that it be an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol."

Triclosan breaks open the cell walls of bacteria, killing them. But it takes several hours to do this, so it does little good in the time it takes to wash and dry hands.

The FDA is also reviewing hand sanitizers and products used by hospitals. 

FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed From Consumer Soaps - NBC News