FDA Banning 19 Chemicals Commonly Found In Antibacterial Soaps.

reported, “Products with 19 antibacterial ingredients...must be reformulated or removed from stores within a year, the FDA announced Friday.” The use of “cleaners with the 19 specified ingredients could increase bacterial resistance, making it harder to fight disease, and may affect hormones...said” Theresa Michele of the FDA’s Division of Non-prescription Drug Products. The Washington Post (9/2, McGinley) reported that in a statement, Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said, “Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water.” She added, “In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/09/02/fda-bans-some-antibacterial-soaps-and-body-washes/