Here’s Why You Need To Stop Using Antibacterial Soap Right Away

Published January 3, 2019

According to reports, the Food and Drug Administration has given companies one year to remove the moniker “antibacterial” from the soaps that claim to kill germs and various forms of bacteria.

The FDA stated that the companies who manufacture such soaps did not demonstrate they are safe and effective, and the FDA suggests that such soaps are useless. The two ingredients in question that supposedly kill germs, triclosan and triclocarban, do not effectively prevent illnesses and stop the spread of infections.

The FDA said that the companies must remove the ingredients from their entire line of antibacterial soaps, and the agency also said that the two ingredients may not be safe to use. The FDA stated that “antibacterial” soaps are no more effective than regular soap and water.

According to doctors associated with the FDA, there is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that antibacterial soaps are effective at stopping the spread of germs. However, alcohol-based hand sanitizers remain available for now.

Doctors warn that people should not stop washing their hands altogether. The FDA states that warm water and regular hand soap without triclosan and triclocarban are safe to use and help stop the spread of airborne germs that cause illnesses.