The FDA is looking into antibacterial soaps and is questioning whether or not they are effective and safe. According to the FDA, antibacterial soaps may not be any more effective than good old fashioned water. They are also concerned that long term use of antibacterial soaps may not be safe.
In report by CNN the FDA has announced that companies that manufacture antibacterial soaps will be required to prove that their products are more effective than proper washing with regular soap and water. If not, than t he products will need to be either relabeled or removed from the shelves. The FDA is also concerned over research results that show long term use of the antibacterial ingredients in these products cause hormonal changes in lab rats.
The Huffington Post states that a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health revealed that only 5 percent of American’s know how to properly wash their hands. The CDC claims that washing with soap and water for 20 seconds will kill germs just as well as antibacterial soap.